MPs demand gov’t action on Ugandan students stranded in Iran after fake scholarship scam
Each student had paid $800 as a travel requirement, but some have been left homeless and vulnerable, with some girls turning to prostitution for survival.
Igara County West MP, Hon. Gaffa Mbwatekamwa, has urged the government to account for and rescue 100 Ugandan students stranded in Iran, victims of an alleged fake scholarship scheme coordinated through the Office of the National Chairman of the NRM Party in Kyambogo.
Mbwatekamwa revealed that these students, lured by promises of fully funded study opportunities, arrived in Iran only to find that the courses they applied for didn’t exist.
Each student had paid $800 as a travel requirement, but some have been left homeless and vulnerable, with some girls turning to prostitution for survival.
Hon. Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division) confirmed the plight, sharing a personal account of a relative stranded in the same scheme.
“One of my relatives is a victim of the scheme. He was taken to Iran by the same office to study veterinary medicine, and was stranded and did not even have transport back. We have just evacuated him. This is a serious matter and it must be investigated,” said Bwanika.
The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, called for the appointment of a new ambassador to Iran, emphasizing the urgency of addressing diplomatic gaps following the death of former Ambassador Muhammad Kisambira in August 2023.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gen. Jeje Odongo, unfamiliar with the allegations, committed to investigating the matter and providing a detailed report within the week. He also acknowledged that similar diplomatic representation gaps exist in three other missions, including Kenya, following the death of Ambassador Hassan Wasswa Galiwango in January 2023.
