Joining higher education: 229 students receive BCU scholarships
According to BCU officials, the scholarships are part of its ongoing commitment to support the education of children from coffee-farming families who are members of the cooperative
MBALE CITY, October 27, 2025 — A total of 229 students from the Bugisu Subregion have received scholarships from the Bugisu Cooperative Union [ BCU ], enabling them to join various institutions of higher learning across Uganda.
According to BCU officials, the scholarships are part of its ongoing commitment to support the education of children from coffee-farming families who are members of the cooperative.
“Following today’s evaluation meeting, we are pleased to confirm that 229 students have qualified for the 2025 Scholarship Programme out of a total of 1,000 applications received. We congratulate all successful applicants and appreciate everyone who applied,” the union said in a latest statement shared on its social media platforms.
The beneficiaries and their parents have been asked to report to the BCU Head Office in Mbale City for clearance. “Those who qualified for the 2025 Scholarship Programme were invited to report to the BCU Head Office on Monday, October 27 together with their parents for clearance,” the statement added.
According to BCU officials, the scholarship initiative reflects the union’s dedication to improving livelihoods through education.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty,” they said. “Our farmers work tirelessly, and we want their children to have opportunities that will transform not just their families, but the entire Bugisu community.”
Last year, BCU supported 278 students, and the Union says it remains committed to expanding the programme despite financial pressures.
To qualify for sponsorship, a farmer must deliver a minimum amount of coffee to the union. As of August 2025, the requirement stands at 1,500 kilogrammes per farmer, reduced from 2,500kg to allow more families to participate. The decision followed poor harvests caused by erratic weather patterns.
“We had to adjust to the realities on the ground,” an official explained. “Climate change has affected production, but we didn’t want that to stop bright students from accessing education. That’s why we revised the coffee delivery requirement.”
The BCU Scholarship Programme is funded through profits generated from the union’s coffee sales and is part of a broader community development initiative. Farmers who meet the Arabica coffee delivery threshold can apply for bursaries on behalf of their children once applications are announced by the union.
A parent from Kuushu village in Lusekue Constituency in Bududa district, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying the bursary has lifted a huge burden off her family.
“As a coffee farmer, it’s not always easy to raise school fees, especially when prices fluctuate,” she said. “This scholarship means my daughter can join university without us selling our land or taking loans. I am truly thankful to BCU.”
One of the beneficiaries, 20-year-old, who hopes to study engineering at Ndejje University, described the scholarship as life-changing.
“My parents have struggled to keep me in school,” he said. “Getting this scholarship gives me hope that I can now focus on my studies and build a better future for my family.”
BCU officials reiterated that the cooperative will continue investing in education as part of its mission to empower the Bugisu coffee-growing community. “When our farmers’ children succeed, we all succeed,” said John Musila Vice Chairman of the Union. “That is the true spirit of cooperation.”
BCU maintains a relationship with growers’ societies in the districts of Bududa, Bulambuli Mbale, Manafwa, Namisindwa, Mbale City and Sironko.
https://thecooperator.news/bcu-to-renovate-primary-cooperative-societies-across-nine-zones/
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