Isaac’s Story: How One ACT Uganda Scholarship Changed Everything
From Muko to Austria: Isaac’s Journey with ACT Uganda
Meet Isaac, an ACT Uganda Maverick Scholar whose remarkable journey starting in rural Uganda is a testament to resilience, vision, and the transformative power of education.
Q: Can you tell us about your background and where your story begins?
I am called Isaac Ainembabazi, born and raised in Muko Subcounty, Uganda. Growing up in Muko I faced challenges including lack of school fees and personal needs such as clothes and bedding, lack of mentorship, and lack of hope. My dream of education was nearly cut short until ACT Uganda stepped in.
Q: How did ACT Uganda first become part of your life?
The ACT scholarship I received was a life changer. In 2017, I became one of the first Maverick Scholars through ACT Uganda. I heard about the program through my high school and I applied for the scholarship after being accepted to Kabale University, and won it!
This sponsorship gave me more than just tuition - it gave me purpose, mentorship, and a chance to believe in a future beyond poverty. I always said I didn’t want to be a victim of my background, and ACT empowered me to turn that desire into action. The story of how Generous Turinawe, the ACT Director, started ACT Uganda also gave me hope.
Q: How did the ACT Maverick Scholarship change your life?
The Maverick Scholarship paid for my tuition, accommodations, meals, clothes, bedding, and transportation fees to and from the university, allowing me to pursue and attain my Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at Kabale University.
The scholarship helped me acquire leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, and personally I gained motivation for hard work, taking on duties outside of my scope of work. I held several key positions at Kabale University, including leading students of my department of environmental sciences in student government. I met lecturers and was motivated to continue my studies to become one in the future.
After earning my Bachelor degree in 2021, I continued my studies and just successfully defended my Master’s Thesis in Austria, and now have obtained a Joint Master of Science in Limnology and Wetland Management from three partner universities - BOKU University in Austria, IHE Delft in the Netherlands, and Egerton University in Kenya.
Q: Congratulations on completing your Master’s degree in Austria! Can you share what your research focused on and why it matters for your community or the environment?
My focus was on investigating how urbanization affects water quality, specifically using macroinvertebrates. I’m able to detect whether the water is polluted or not to inform policy makers and the government on key actions to be done to rectify the causes of pollution.
With my research, I was able to develop a biotic index called the KASS-Kampala Scoring System. This is the second biotic index in Uganda, and we are hoping to develop a nationwide index that tests all the water systems in Uganda through the Ministry of Water.
For so long we have been relying on testing the water in ways that are costly, and our method of using macroinvertebrates is inexpensive. For example, mosquito larvae respond to changes in water quality, so we can see the level of pollution.
I plan to utilize my experience to work with government institutions or non-government agencies on projects to address current challenges in water sanitation and the general environment.
My goal is to obtain my PhD to better serve the wider community.
Q: What has your experience been like studying in Austria? How has it broadened your perspective?
It was an eye opener to the developed world. I had hands-on practical experience through field work, laboratory work, and presentations
The cultural experience was impactful - foods, social life, beliefs, customs - it was my first time to meet vegans and vegetarians, people who are selective on food and what they eat.
It was also my first time seeing each professor having two or more support or junior staff in the same field who know exactly what the senior is doing.
All things are possible with collaboration and hard work if you have experts in different fields working for the common good. I believe that is very important, especially to see sustainable development and progress.
Q: Tell us about your wife, Scovia, and how you support each other’s educational and professional dreams.
My wife is Scovia Kyomugisha from Rukungiri district, and we have a 2 year old child, Tracy. Scovia and I were married in traditional okuhingira ceremony in 2022.
I applied Scovia for a scholarship in January 2023 at Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU) in Kampala, and she won it to pursue her Bachelors of Business Administration. This is a government funded scholarship in a private university, which covers tuition and functional fees only. We pay for private accommodation, meals and some additional charges each semester. She has maintained high grades and the scholarship has been renewed each year. She is motivated to go to Masters level, and also study to become a professional Certified Public Accountant.
We also have a babysitter, Liz, who lives with us. She comes from a needy family in Muko Subcounty, and her parents are incapable of supporting her in school. My goal was to see Liz return to school, and through Scovia’s and my support, she is now a student here in Kampala at Kigogwa Primary School! Liz hopes to become a doctor because her “Mum used to get sick all the time without having money to buy medicine.”
Q: You’re now part of the Maverick Scholar selection committee. What does that mean to you?
It allows me to mentor others and share knowledge to build pathways for younger generations to thrive. It gives me a chance to give back to a system that shaped and inspired me and is an opportunity to shape the future of the program and scholar community by bringing onboard diverse students.
It is also humbling by reminding me of the importance of fairness, integrity, and empathy in decision making. We select scholars who show the qualities of being positive change-makers for the community, and my journey equips me to advocate for those who deserve a chance.
Q: If you could say something directly to the donors and supporters of ACT Uganda, what would you want them to know?
ACT is doing a great work beyond what anybody can think about.
Supporting young ambitious leaders to attain a profession is one of the sustainable ways of fostering community development in the near future.
Thank you for your life-changing support!
Interested in supporting scholars like Isaac? Learn more about our Maverick Scholarship Program and how you can sponsor a student’s journey: actuganda.org/education
