Girls edge boys as 2,790 secure higher education loans
Of the beneficiaries, 2,019 will pursue undergraduate programmes, while 771 will undertake diploma programmes
KAMPALA, September 11, 2026 — The Government of Uganda has awarded higher education loans to 2,790 students for the 2026/2027 academic year under the Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme [HESFS], with female beneficiaries slightly outnumbering their male counterparts.
The Acting Minister of Education and Sports, John Chrysostom Muyingo, announced the beneficiaries on Thursday during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
The new beneficiaries, who form the 13th cohort under the Students’ Loan Scheme, were selected from 10,615 applications received by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
According to the ministry, 8,005 applicants were found eligible for consideration, while 2,610 were deemed ineligible. A significant number of applications were rejected because applicants failed to provide all the required documentation, with 1,452 applicants submitting incomplete documents.
Of the 2,790 successful applicants, 1,400 are female, representing 50.2 percent, while 1,390 are male, accounting for 49.8 percent.
The ministry said the number of female beneficiaries had increased from 862 in the 2025/2026 academic year to 1,400 this year, reflecting efforts to promote gender inclusion in access to higher education financing.
Of the beneficiaries, 2,019 will pursue undergraduate programmes, while 771 will undertake diploma programmes.
The scheme continues to prioritise students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM], as well as Tourism and Hotel Management programmes considered critical to Uganda’s national development.
Bachelor of Science with Education attracted the highest number of beneficiaries, with 581 students, followed by Engineering with 498, Computer Science with 313 and Health Care Management with 284.
The scheme also selected 64 students with disabilities for funding, comprising 46 males and 18 females. In addition to tuition and academic-related costs, the students will receive support for specialised learning aids and appliances where necessary.
The beneficiaries were selected using a three-tier model, under which 30 percent of the available slots were allocated through district quotas, another 30 percent based on the proportion of eligible applicants from districts and cities, and 40 percent according to socio-economic vulnerability.
The ministry said academic merit, financial need, geographical equity, gender inclusion and disability status were also considered during the selection process.
Applicants were assessed using a Proxy Means Test scorecard integrated into the Loan Management Information System to determine their level of socio-economic vulnerability.
The government has allocated Shs 10.720 billion to finance the new cohort. Although the initial budget was intended to support 2,400 students, lower-than-anticipated unit costs enabled the scheme to accommodate an additional 390 beneficiaries.
Under the scheme, the government will cover tuition, functional and research fees, with the funds paid directly to the respective institutions.
The number of participating universities has also increased from 25 in the 2025/2026 academic year to 33 this year. They include 11 public universities and 22 private chartered universities, alongside several diploma-awarding tertiary institutions.
Muyingo said beneficiaries would not receive the tuition funds directly, explaining that financial arrangements would be handled between the Ministry of Education and Sports and the respective institutions.
The minister also commended former beneficiaries who have repaid their loans, saying their commitment would help sustain the scheme for future students.
Successful applicants will be notified through SMS, the Ministry of Education and Sports website and its official social media platforms. They will then be required to sign loan agreements before the funds are released to their respective institutions.
Established under the Higher Education Students’ Financing Act, 2014, and amended in 2024, the Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme is intended to expand access to higher education for academically qualified Ugandans who face financial barriers to pursuing tertiary education.
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