Salutations:

  • All stakeholders present today
  • Representatives of our funding partners,
  • Trainers and facilitators,
  • Representatives from FAWE Uganda,
  • Our esteemed bursary beneficiaries,
  • Distinguished guests,
  • Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

Allow me to bring you greetings from the FAWE Regional Secretariat in Nairobi. It is a pleasure to stand before you on this memorable day, a day that many of you, if not all of us will remember for the rest of our lives.

Today is not just the close of a training programme, it is the opening of 700 new journeys. This week, we have gathered to equip our daughters and sons, inspire them, and now, send them forth to different TVET institutions across the country, ready to build their futures.

Let me start with deep gratitude. To our trainers and facilitators, thank you for going beyond the call of duty. You have not just taught skills; you have planted seeds of discipline, creativity, and resilience. As the saying goes, “A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops.”

To our bursary beneficiaries, congratulations. Out of many who applied, you were chosen. You are here because you stood out, not only in talent, but in determination. The competition was fierce, yet here you are: the best among many. That alone is worth celebrating. But remember, “Being chosen is not the end of the journey, it is the beginning of responsibility.” This bursary support is a bridge to your dreams. Cross it with hard work, focus, and integrity.

To the FAWE Uganda team, thank you for your tireless commitment. Your passion for empowering young people is what makes days like this possible. And to our funding partners, in close collaboration with the FAWE Regional Secretariat, we cannot thank you enough. You have chosen to invest in lives, and that is the greatest investment anyone can make. As the proverb says, “When you plant a tree, you plant hope for generations.”

We are also deeply grateful to the institution that has hosted us this week. Your hospitality and support have created the perfect environment for learning and preparation.

To our beneficiaries, as you go forward, I urge you to remember three things:

  1. Work Hard – Skill is nothing without effort. “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.”
  2. Maximize Your Opportunity – This support is a rare gift; use every hour and every tool to grow.
  3. Give Back – What you have received is not for you alone. Share your knowledge, uplift your community, and contribute to the growth of Uganda.

There will be challenges, some small, others daunting. But challenges are not roadblocks; they are stepping stones. Each one you overcome will make you stronger and more prepared for the future you envision.

So go forth with confidence. Learn with passion. Excel with integrity. And when you return, return as leaders who will inspire others, just as you have been inspired here.

On behalf of the FAWE Africa Board as well as the FAWE network, our partners, and everyone who believes in you, I wish you success, fulfillment, and courage for the road ahead.

Congratulations once again and may your journeys be filled with purpose and achievement.

Thank you.

Motivational Statement:

“As you leave this place, remember you are not just bursary beneficiaries — you are torchbearers. Hold your heads high, work harder than you’ve ever worked before, and let your success light the way for others. Uganda is waiting for your skills, your ideas, and your leadership. Go, make us proud — and never forget to lift someone else as you rise.