Needy students across Uganda who were left stranded due to the suspension of the government’s student loans scheme can now breathe a sigh of relief. The government has announced the resumption of the programme, bringing hope to more than 1,000 students in need of financial assistance to pursue higher education.
In an interview with Monitor over the weekend, Mr. Michael Wanyama, the Executive Director of the Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB), disclosed that the government has allocated over Shs14 billion to finance the scheme. This decision comes after the scheme was halted during the 2023/2024 academic year due to budgetary constraints, with only registered students receiving support.
Following consultations with various stakeholders, including the Ministries of Finance and Education, HESFB received approval to request a supplementary budget to restart the programme. “Parliament has approved a supplementary budget of Shs13.958 billion for us. Part of it will clear domestic arrears, while the remainder, about Shs5 billion, will support new students for this academic year,” Mr. Wanyama explained.
The approved supplementary budget, sanctioned in December of the previous year, will facilitate the enrollment of approximately 1,100 students, with each student receiving about Shs4.5 million. Priority will be given to students pursuing diploma and degree courses in science-related fields across selected universities and tertiary institutions, while slots will also be reserved for humanities students and those with disabilities.
Encouraging learners to seize the opportunity, Mr. Wanyama emphasized that the application process will be conducted online, commencing immediately and running for two weeks to facilitate a swift resumption of studies. The HESFB has been implementing the student loans scheme since 2014, supporting over 13,400 beneficiaries, predominantly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Despite economic challenges impacting the programme’s reach in previous years, efforts are underway to expand its scope. Mr. John Twesigye, Chairperson of the parliamentary Education Committee, urged HESFB to increase the number of beneficiaries to at least 3,000 students per intake, aiming to extend support to more diploma programmes approved by the government.
Mr. James Kubeketerya, Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary Education Committee, expressed optimism about the future, anticipating an increase in beneficiaries as national resources improve. The revival of the student loans scheme represents a significant step towards fostering equal access to higher education for deserving students across Uganda.
