This week, Windle International Uganda (WIU), in partnership with Buffalo Bicycles Uganda Limited, the implementing arm of World Bicycle Relief, provided 200 bicycles to learners in five secondary schools in Adjumani Refugee Settlement. These bicycles were given to students who walk long distances, many over 3 kilometres, to reach school every day.
This intervention is aimed at addressing mobility poverty, which continues to limit access to education for many learners in rural and refugee-hosting communities. Long commutes often result in late arrivals, fatigue, missed lessons, and, in some cases, school dropout — especially among girls.
The goal is simple: to reduce the worry of commuting so learners can focus better in class, arrive early, stay safe, and return home with time and energy left for domestic support.
“We are looking at reducing the commute time so that learners rest enough and save time to concentrate,” said Ben Anguma, Settlement Manager, WIU, Adjumani Field Office.
“This support makes a practical difference for children in both refugee and host communities.
The bicycles, built for rural terrain, will adequately support learners’ movements.
Katusiime Juliet, a Senior Three student at Lewa Secondary School, explained how the support will alter her daily routine: ‘I’ve been walking to school and arriving late, missing remedial lessons. When I get home, I’m already tired, but I still have chores. Sometimes I need to pay 10,000 shillings for a motorcycle ride, which we can’t afford every day.”
The Deputy Head Teacher of Lewa Secondary School also welcomed the support, noting that the bicycles will ease the burden on students and improve attendance.
This distribution targeted five WIU-supported schools, including Lewa, Nyumanzi, Pagirinya, Maaij and Ayilo secondary schools. The support targets 70% girls and 30% boys with movement challenges, considering both refugees and nationals at risk of dropping out of school.
“These bicycles are built to last,” said Kilama Gabriel, Programme Manager at Buffalo Bicycles Uganda Limited. “They’re made for students in hard-to-reach communities, and we’re proud partner with Windle International Uganda to make education more accessible.”
Each school receiving bicycles has commissioned a committee featuring student leaders, parents’ representatives and focal teachers to oversee use and basic maintenance. Learners received basic training on how to use and care for the bicycles, and local mechanics trained through Buffalo Bicycles will be available for repairs. This helps ensure the bicycles remain in use for the long term.
This partnership reflects WIU’s broader goal: removing the practical barriers that keep children from completing their education. With the right support, students can stay in school, perform better, and plan for a future with more options.
We thank Buffalo Bicycles Uganda and World Bicycle Relief for their ongoing support and commitment to enhancing learning conditions in remote areas. The Adjumani support comes as an expansion to 1,014 bicycles distributed to seven secondary schools in Bidibidi refugee settlement.
