Why we started the Akiira Foundation
Every year in Uganda, over 5,000 young people sit qualification interviews for government health training programs. Every year, only 3,000 are admitted. The other 2,000 qualified, motivated, capable students are turned away simply because the system does not have room for them.
The Akiira Foundation was established in 2021 by a group of Ugandan-born medical professionals living in the United States and United Kingdom. They had watched too many young people abandon health careers not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked access. They created the Foundation to close that gap.
Our model is simple: we identify qualified students who were rejected from government intake, assess their financial situation, and match them with fully accredited private health training institutions under our scholarship program, providing bursary support where needed. We do not own schools. We are a scholarship and sponsorship body. Our role is to match the right student to the right institution, fast.
Backed by professionals who have done this
The Foundation's advisors and trustees include registered nurses, clinical officers, and medical doctors who trained in Uganda and built careers abroad. They understand the Ugandan system from the inside. They know which institutions produce work-ready graduates. And they contribute financial resources to make bursary support possible.
US Medical Diaspora Network
Ugandan-born medical professionals across 12 US states contributing bursary funding and advisory oversight.
UK Health Professionals Association
NHS-registered Ugandan nurses and doctors providing mentorship and placement guidance.
EU Global Health NGO Partners
European health development organisations co-funding bursary programs for eligible students in underserved districts.
Uganda Ministry of Health
All partner institutions are registered with the MoH and affiliated with the Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board.
What we have achieved so far
The advisors behind the Foundation
Dr. David Kiggundu
Founder · Physician, Johns Hopkins University. Former MoH Uganda advisor.
Rose Nakato, RN
Lead Advisor · NHS Registered Nurse (London). 12 years Uganda health training experience.
James Okello
Placement Director · Based in Kampala. Former UAHEB examinations officer.
Amina Mutebi
Bursary Manager · MSc Development Finance (London School of Economics).
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