KAMPALA — Government has on Tuesday September 3 released the list of the names of undergraduate students who have been selected to acquire financial support under the higher education students’ loan scheme.
The State Minister for Higher Education, Hon. Dr. JC Miyingo released released the list of the beneficiaries of the scheme at the government media Centre in Kampala.
Key statistics; 7,310 applied, 1,834 awarded, 1,216 male (66%), 618 female (34%); 370 awardees are taking diploma programmes.
Mr. Muyingo said the loans have been awarded to needy students from all corners of Uganda.
He said of the 2,109 students who applied to be considered for financial support, 1,834 have been selected.
“In awarding these loans, we have a deliberate effort to ensure equity, regional balance, gender balance and socio-economic balance. Many upcountry districts have contributed fairly many students to the list of beneficiaries,” he said.
Rev. Fr Prof Callisto Locheng, the chairman of the scheme’s board said students who have already obtained government scholarship have not been offered the loans, because “they were limiting opportunities for other needy students to access higher education.
As much as beneficiaries of the loans have been sourced from across the country, they are students of the selected accredited universities including Makerere, Kyambogo, Mbarara, Busitema, Gulu, Muni, Nkumba, Ndejje, Bugema, and Nkozi universities.
Others are Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala International and Uganda Christian University.
Rev. Fr Prof Locheng said loans would not cover retakes, urging students to read hard and attain high grades once they acquire the loans.
“For dead years, students will have to provide evidence on why they took such a decision and we shall act accordingly. Some people request for dead year based on genuine reasons,” he argued.
The loans cover tuition fees, functional fees, research obligations and appliances and aids for people with disability.
In the future, Rev. Fr Prof Locheng said, the scheme could also consider giving students more money for accommodation and meals when funds are sufficient.
According to the Higher Education Students Financing Act, 2014, repayment of the loan shall be charged on the income of the person who received the loan. Repayment starts a year after the beneficiary has completed studies, whether employed or not.
The Act provides for a six-month jail sentence or a fine of at most sh1m to beneficiaries who try to default after graduating.
