A total of 70 Ugandan students are to study at Ahlul-Bayt International University after they secured scholarships through the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) which is headed by Hajjat Uzeiye Hadija Namyalo.

We have established that by working closely with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the government of Iran, Hajjat Namyalo managed to secure scholarships for the said students, which will enable them to acquire skills in various fields of study, which they will later apply in Uganda for the development of the country.

Hakim Kyeswa, who heads the Digital Media Department at ONC, revealed that the beneficiaries of the scholarship program set off from Uganda on Saturday, February 03, 2024, and landed in Tehran the next day on Sunday.

Shortly after takeoff at Entebbe International Airport, Kyeswa, who traveled with the students to Iran, stated thus on X(Twitter);

“This morning, on behalf of ONC Manager, SPA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, I accompanied and flagged off 70 Ugandan students who benefited from the scholarship program under the office of the National Chairman NRM.
These students were admitted to Ahlul-Bayt International University, Tehran.”

He noted that following this development, “Students and Parents have expressed gratitude to the Iranian Embassy and Hajat Hadijah Namyalo for selecting them on merit.”

Kyeswa later revealed on Sunday afternoon that he and the students had arrived safely in Tehran and in his update on X he stated thus;

“This afternoon, 70 Ugandan students who benefited from the ONC Scholarship program arrived safely at Ahlul-bayt International University, Tehran, Iran.
At the Airport, we were received by Dr. Ba Hemmat, the Head of the University culture department. Later, students will have a welcoming Dinner.”

He added; “Once again, these students applauded ONC manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo for giving them the opportunity and promised to concentrate on their studies.”

It should be noted that when the President of Iran H.E Dr. Ebrahim Raisi visited Uganda last year, he and President Museveni agreed during their meeting at State House, Entebbe to strengthen the relations between both countries through bilateral cooperation.

“We are always ready to cooperate with Iran and this area of cooperation is straight,” President Museveni said, during their meeting, adding that the cooperation is due to Iran’s Anti-imperialism position, a reason he has visited Iran many times and most of the Presidents of Iran have in the past visited Uganda.

President Museveni also told his Iranian counterpart and his delegation that there is nothing Uganda cannot produce because of her good climate.

He mentioned items especially food; bananas, maize, coffee, cocoa and fish adding that the problem has always been access to markets and Iran’s cooperation comes in handy.

“We can do a lot of trade together. Iran has got experiences which we don’t have,” H.E Museveni added.

President Museveni also appreciated the Islamic Republic of Iran for motivating him to develop Uganda’s oil resources, especially constructing an oil refinery in Uganda.

It’s important to note therefore that 70 Ugandan students who got scholarships to study in Iran through the ONC are a manifestation of some of the fruits being realized from the cordial relationship between the two countries.