Help Bukenya Lukman Graduate: Clear Tuition Fees

My Journey to Graduation: A Call for Your Support

My name is Bukenya Lukman, a passionate scholar from Kampala, Uganda. I embarked on an incredible academic journey in 2019 when I enrolled in the Master of Science program in Software Engineering at Makerere University, Uganda’s most prestigious institution. At the time, I was working and was able to cover the tuition for my first semester. It felt like the start of a bright future.

Then, the unexpected happened. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and like millions around the world, I lost my job. Suddenly, I was unable to continue paying my tuition. Makerere University, understanding the hardship many of us faced, allowed students to continue their studies without immediate payment of tuition fees. This policy gave me hope and enabled me to complete my coursework.

In late 2022, I secured a position in one of Makerere University’s research labs, contributing to impactful projects as a junior researcher and a software engineer. While this job reignited my academic aspirations, the salary was modest and barely enough to support myself and my younger brother, who was in high school. In Uganda, high school education spans two years, and I’ve been fully supporting him to ensure he achieves his dreams. He is now sitting for his final national exams, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come.

This year, I achieved a significant milestone: I successfully completed my master’s degree by submitting my thesis in Natural Language Processing, a field I am deeply passionate about. However, the journey has not been without challenges. The research lab I work for has recently reached the end of its project cycle, and we have run out of funds. This has left me in an even more precarious financial position as I approach the final steps of my academic journey.

Makerere University has recently implemented a policy prohibiting students with unpaid tuition balances from graduating. This means that despite my hard work, I will not be allowed to graduate in January 2025 unless I settle my outstanding tuition fees. The graduation, scheduled for January 13–17, 2025, represents more than just a ceremony—it is the culmination of years of dedication and the key to unlocking the next phase of my academic journey.

Graduation is my gateway to pursuing PhD scholarships and advancing my career in academia. Missing this opportunity would not only stall my progress but also dim the hopes of those who believe in my potential to contribute to cutting-edge exciting research from the research community around the world.

This is why I am reaching out to the global community with humility and hope. I am appealing to your kindness and generosity to help me clear my tuition balance and make it to my graduation.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me closer to walking across that stage and fulfilling a dream that has been years in the making. Together, we can turn this story of resilience into one of triumph.

Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for being part of my journey.