NGOs SEEKS UGX 18 MN THROUGH CHARITY RUN TO SUPPORT 42 VULNERABLE GIRLS

Uriama Self-Empowerment Foundation and Peace for Women West Nile staffs during the launch of the 3^rd edition of the charity run in Arua City (All photos by Onzoma Albert).

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

Uriama Self-Empowerment Foundation (USEF), in partnership with Peace for Women West Nile non-governmental organizations, are organizing the 3rd edition of the “Run to Keep Her in School 2026” charity run, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at Wandi Primary School playgrounds in Katrini Sub-county, Terego District.

The event aims to raise UGX 18 million to support 42 vulnerable girls in the district to remain in school. The funds will continue supporting 28 girls from previous editions in 2024 and 2025 and add 14 more vulnerable girls this year.

Bosco Andiku, USEF Programs Manager, explained that the run also raises awareness about teenage pregnancy and school dropouts, encouraging public support through purchasing charity run kits priced at UGX 30,000 each.

“I want to call upon the public to join us in supporting the vulnerable girls to remain in school and add more vulnerable girls by simply purchasing the kits and equally donation towards the cause, in order to address the issues of teenage pregnancy and high rate of school dropouts especially among the vulnerable girls” he said.

Grace Likico, Programs Manager of Peace for Women West Nile, emphasized the initiative’s goal of reducing the high dropout rates among vulnerable schoolchildren in the district.

“All of us understand that in West Nile region the level of poverty is somewhere but we have those who are extremely vulnerable, who are our targets for this charity run to push them to some extent by raising funds to keep them in school,” she said.

Sabino Ringua, from the organizing committee, confirmed that preparations are underway to ensure the event’s success.

“Our target as organizers of the charity run is to make sure that by 2030 at least the number of girls completing school should increase above 50%, I am happy that the kits we produced are been procured by  the public except few remain as we are set for the run,” he said.

Bosco Andiku, USEF Programs Manager, addressing media during the launch of the 3^rd edition of the charity run in Arua City.

In the lead-up to the event, pre-run community Barraza’s have been organized in major trading centers like Wandi, Olua, and Aramua to inform residents about teenage pregnancy, school dropout issues and mobilize support for the run.

The charity run was conceived in 2023 after Bosco Andiku encountered a 13-year-old girl carrying charcoal to sell so she could buy school materials.

This inspired a visibility study revealing that only 7% of girls in the district enrolled in secondary schools compared to 13% of boys, highlighting the need for support.

The first edition in 2024 identified 14 girls from Terego’s seven sub-counties who joined Aripea Secondary School. The second edition in 2025 supported 14 more girls, totaling 28.

This year aims to retain those 28 girls and add 14 additional vulnerable girls. As part of sustainability, parents and guardians are being engaged in cocoa planting to support the girls’ education beyond “O” Level.

Applicants are selected through a process involving school head teachers, area LC1 chairpersons, home visits, and interviews by USEF staff.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis