By Admin
The Teso sub-region is celebrating a breakthrough in aviation education after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni approved five fully sponsored scholarships each year for Iteso students at the Soroti Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Flying School. The decision, reached during a meeting on Wednesday with His Royal Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sunde Emolot Etimeileng at State House Entebbe, marks the first time government has ring-fenced opportunities at the prestigious flight training Centre specifically for the young people of Teso.
Stephen Ojacor the ICU Information’s minister broke the news nothing that for years, Teso students have struggled to gain entry into the Soroti Flying School despite its location in their own backyard.
“The facility, which trains pilots and aviation engineers for Uganda and the wider region, is built on Iteso ancestral land but has seen very few local graduates. High tuition fees, often exceeding tens of millions of shillings, have locked out many talented youths in Teso”, he said.
Community leaders say this exclusion has been a sore point for decades. “We have watched other regions take advantage of a school that sits on our land while our children only dream of becoming pilots,” said Margaret Akurut, a retired teacher from Soroti City. “The President’s decision is long overdue and deeply welcome.”
The new scholarship scheme will sponsor five Iteso students every academic year, covering tuition, flight hours, and technical training. Candidates will be selected through the Iteso Cultural Union in coordination with the Ministry of Teso Affairs, ensuring that beneficiaries come from across the region’s eight districts.
Officials at the flying school describe the program as transformative. “Aviation is not just about flying planes; it’s a gateway to engineering, safety management, and global opportunities,” explained Capt. Julius Ogwang, an instructor at Soroti Flying School. “With dedicated scholarships, Teso can begin producing its own pilots and aircraft maintenance experts.”
Local economists predict wide-ranging benefits. Graduates can secure well-paid jobs with airlines, cargo companies, and air-service providers, injecting income into Teso’s economy and inspiring younger generations. “Every pilot trained here becomes an ambassador for the region,” noted economist Patrick Obore. “The ripple effects include new businesses, tourism opportunities, and a stronger case for further infrastructure investment.”
Parents and youth groups echo the optimism. “This is a dream come true,” said student Grace Ekit, who has long aspired to a career in aviation. “Knowing there is a pathway to professional training motivates us to study harder in science and mathematics.”
Emorimor Emolot, who championed the initiative during his dialogue with the President, called the scholarships a “turning point.” He said the goal is to “raise the value of our children and position Teso as a hub of skilled aviators.”
With the first cohort expected to enroll next year, Teso’s long wait for equitable access to the Soroti Flying School is finally ending. For a region that has watched planes soar overhead for generations, the chance to command the cockpit signals not just pride but a genuine flight path to economic empowerment and self-reliance.