Up to 2,790 students approved for government higher education loans

What the report says

Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports has approved 2,790 students for government higher education loans for the 2026/27 academic year, out of 10,615 applications submitted. The approval rate leaves many qualified applicants without support, even as demand for the scheme rose sharply from the previous year. The figures were released in Kampala on September 10 at the Uganda Media Centre by Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme Commissioner Michael Wanyama, with acting Education Minister John Chrysostom Muyingo saying the increase reflects growing need among students struggling to pay for tertiary education.

According to the ministry, 8,005 applicants met the initial eligibility check, but only 2,790 were selected after the final review. The ministry said the process used an online system and a three-tier selection model intended to balance district representation, socio-economic vulnerability and affirmative action. It also reported that female beneficiaries slightly outnumber males in the new intake, and that students with disabilities were included among those approved.

The loans will cover tuition and related fees and will be paid directly to institutions rather than students. Officials said the programme is targeting priority fields such as science, engineering, computing, health-related studies, tourism and hotel management, while also supporting some students with disabilities in other accredited programmes. The ministry added that funding for the cohort was set at 10.72 billion shillings, allowing more students to be assisted than initially planned, though demand still exceeds available resources.