Bikes to the Classroom: CooP-Uganda Boosts Secondary Education in Adjumani and Kyegegwa

For years, the journey to school was one of the biggest obstacles standing between hundreds of learners and their education in Kyegegwa and Adjumani districts. Today, that journey is becoming shorter, safer and faster as bicycles distributed under the WeLearn WeTeach Bicycle Empowerment Programme begin transforming daily life for students who once walked up to 15 kilometres to reach class.

The programme, implemented by Cycling Out of Poverty Uganda in partnership with Enabel, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the European Union and Belgium, has already delivered bicycles to nine secondary schools in the two districts, with early optimism that the intervention will improve attendance, reduce school dropout and enhance academic performance.

In Kyegegwa District, 208 bicycles were distributed to Mpara Secondary School, Rwentuha Seed Secondary School, Kakabara Secondary School and Kibuye Secondary School. Each school received 50 bicycles and two spare bicycles under a Bicycle Management System that allows learners to access them responsibly.

The intervention came after education officials and school leaders raised concern over the long distances learners walk every day to reach school. Many travel between five and 15 kilometres, often arriving late, tired and unable to concentrate in class.

Kabaale Edgar, the General Manager of Cycling Out of Poverty Uganda, said the bicycles are intended to remove one of the biggest obstacles preventing learners from completing their education.

“A bicycle may look simple, but for many learners it means arriving at school on time, attending classes consistently and staying in school longer. This programme is about dignity, opportunity and keeping education within reach,” he said.

The bicycles are accompanied by maintenance toolkits, riding and repair training, learner-led cycling clubs and the training of local mechanics to ensure the programme remains sustainable beyond the initial distribution.

The programme has also reached Adjumani District where 260 bicycles have been distributed to Pagirinya Secondary School, Adjumani Secondary School, Dzaipi Secondary School, Lewa Secondary School and Ofua Seed Secondary School, benefiting both refugee and host community learners.

Programme implementers say reliable transport is expected to improve attendance, punctuality, learner retention and academic performance while strengthening social cohesion among learners.

Joeri Leysen, Project Manager of the WeLearn WeTeach Project at Enabel, said improving transport is one of the most effective ways of improving access to education.

“Sustainable transport has a direct impact on attendance, punctuality and learner safety. By empowering both refugee and host community learners together, the programme also promotes peaceful coexistence and shared progress,” Leysen said.

In Kyegegwa, where many learners previously spent hours walking to school, parents and teachers believe the bicycles will ease the burden, especially for girls who face greater safety risks during long journeys.

The programme requires that at least 40 percent of bicycle beneficiaries are female learners, although schools are encouraged to exceed that target.

According to Helen Kakungulu, the Project Coordinator at Cycling Out of Poverty Uganda, the bicycles were introduced after research identified transport as a major obstacle to school completion.

 “According to our research, transport remains one of the biggest barriers to education. By reducing the time learners spend walking, we expect to improve attendance, reduce dropout and support better academic performance among learners who are performing well,” she said.

Beyond providing bicycles, the initiative is monitoring attendance, punctuality, learner safety and retention through action research to generate evidence that could inform future education policy.

The programme now shifts to Kamuli District, where another 260 bicycles will be distributed between July 6 and July 10 to Namasagali College, St John Bosco Secondary School, St Paul Secondary School Mbulamuti, Bulopa Secondary School and Luzinga Secondary School.

The Kamuli exercise will complete the bicycle distribution phase of the WeLearn WeTeach Bicycle Empowerment Programme, bringing the total number of bicycles delivered to 728 across 14 secondary schools in Kyegegwa, Adjumani and Kamuli districts.

For many learners who once considered the journey to school their greatest challenge, the bicycles are becoming more than just a means of transport. They are opening the way to better attendance, safer travel and renewed hope of completing their education.

Media & contact information

Media representatives interested in covering the handover ceremonies or obtaining further details about the WeLearn-WeTeach Bicycle Empowerment programme are invited to reach out directly to the CooP-Uganda team.

Contact: Communication & Design Officer

Tel: 0747162375

Email: steven@coop-uganda.org