Uganda Ministry of Education approves 2,790 student loans

The Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports has announced the 13th cohort of the Higher Education Students Financing Loan Scheme. For the 2026/27 academic year, 2,790 students were selected to receive loans from a pool of 10,615 applicants, marking a 48.9% increase in applications compared to the previous year.

The beneficiaries include 1,400 female and 1,390 male students. The cohort consists of 2,019 students pursuing degree programs and 771 enrolled in diploma programs. Notably, 64 students with disabilities were awarded loans. Major fields of study include Bachelor of Science with Education, engineering, computer science, and healthcare management.

Michael Wanyama, Commissioner of the Higher Education Student Financing Loan Scheme, stated that the loans cover tuition, functional fees, research fees, and aids for persons with disabilities. Applicants were assessed using a standardized scoring system considering academic performance, socioeconomic indicators, and vulnerability factors such as disability or loss of parents. While 8,005 applicants were deemed eligible, 2,610 were disqualified, primarily due to incomplete applications or applying for non-funded programs.