New Vision Admin 
In a significant boost for higher education, more than 2,000 Ugandan students have been awarded government loans for the 2025/2026 academic year. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Dr. John C. Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education, reported that 2,047 students were approved out of 7,125 applicants. This represents approximately 28.8% of all submissions and reflects a 10% increase in demand compared to last year, demonstrating the rising interest in tertiary education across the country.
The Ministry of Education and Sports received 5,920 applications for undergraduate degrees and 1,205 for diploma programs. Of the successful candidates, 1,186 are male and 861 are female. The notable increase in female beneficiaries—from 517 last year to 861 this year—highlights the positive impact of affirmative action policies that award extra points to female applicants.
Education and engineering remain the most sought-after fields, with 513 students enrolled in education programs and 440 in engineering courses. Students with disabilities also received support, with 45 beneficiaries this year, up from 29 last year. According to Dr. Muyingo, these loans ensure that students with disabilities can access both science and humanities programs under affirmative action initiatives.
The Ministry employs a three-tier selection system that considers district quotas and socioeconomic vulnerability. Around 60% of loans are allocated based on district representation, while 40% are awarded using a proxy means test to identify the most disadvantaged students. This system has enabled applicants from traditionally underrepresented districts such as Amudat, Buvuma, and Kalangala to access financial support.
The loans cover tuition, functional and research fees, and necessary aids for students with disabilities. Funds are disbursed directly to institutions to ensure they are used exclusively for educational purposes. Dr. Muyingo called for increased funding to the program to meet the high demand and address complaints from unsuccessful applicants.
This year, 28 universities and diploma-awarding institutions are participating in the scheme. Despite an initial budget of Shs7.83 billion aimed at supporting 1,500 students, efficiency measures allowed the Ministry to assist 2,047 students. Dr. Muyingo emphasized that the program aligns with Uganda’s broader education and skills development agenda, promoting equitable access to higher education for students from all regions.
