The Embassy of Ireland in Uganda launched the Late Fr. Declan O’Toole Memorial Fellowship for Karamoja in 2021 in memory of Fr. Declan ‘O’ Toole, who passed away in Moroto on 22 March 2002.
The fellowship aims to support capacity building and professional skills development among Karamojong professionals working in local government institutions and civil society organisations in Karamoja sub-region, as well as in sectors that align with the Embassy of Ireland’s development programmes in Uganda.
This fellowship supports individuals whose work contributes to the priorities outlined in the
Embassy of Ireland Mission Strategy 2023 – 2027.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- Be born in Karamoja and currently reside and work there
- Have attained the academic qualifications required for admission to a Master’s degree programme in a recognised higher education institution in Uganda.
- Not already hold a master’s degree
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of Karamoja and clearly explain how their proposed course of study will contribute to positive change in the region.
- Have identified and selected three relevant courses from accredited universities in Uganda in one of the following fields:
- Education
- Public Health/ HIV
- Community Development
- Human Rights
- Gender and Governance
- Water, Environment and Climate Change
- Management, Finance and Audit
- Have a minimum of two years of relevant postgraduate work experience.
- Be applying to commence a new qualification and not seeking funding for a course that has already started or is due to begin before fellowship awards are announced.
- Be available to commence the Fellowship during the academic year in which it is awarded.
- Committed to working in Karamoja for a minimum of two years following graduation.
Two fellowships will be awarded in line with the above criteria: one female candidate and one male candidate.
Application Process
Stage one: Application Submission
Applicants should convert the application form below to Word format, complete it, and submit it with all supporting documents by email to: UgandaFellowships@dfa.ie
Application deadline: 16 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (midnight).
Stage two: Review and Evaluation
All eligible applications will be reviewed and evaluated against the Fellowship criteria.
Stage three: Interviews
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in December 2026