Over 3000 needy students who had applied for government loans to pursue higher education have been left out. This was announced by the chairperson of the Higher Education Students Financing Board, Prof. Callisto Locheng during a press conference at Media Center. The conference had been summoned to allow the Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Sports, Maj. Jessica Alupo, announce the new beneficiaries of the students’ loan scheme for academic year 2015/16.

Locheng said the board received a total of 4637 applicants for the loan scheme in the coming academic year, but only 1276 have been successful and will be taken on. He said that the number of applicants has been huge this academic year compared to that of last year 2014/5 where only 2125 applied for the loans and only 1201 were awarded. He said that out of the 1276, 1076 are going to pursue undergraduate degrees while 200 will go for diplomas in science-related courses, adding that in total the scheme has so far benefited 2477 needy students.

The Minister said that government is planning to increase funding to the students’ loan scheme so that the scheme can cater for more students compared to the current numbers. She said that the government led by Gen. Yoweri Museveni wants all Ugandans to have equitable access to higher education; the reason this scheme and several others including UPE, USE, UPOLET among others have been put in place.

Alupo said government is aware that the demand for loans has increased and that government is looking at possibilities of increasing funding for this scheme. She urged the beneficiaries to study seriously so that they are able to pay back this money after graduating in order for other students to also be enrolled. Meanwhile, State minister for higher education, Prof. Tikodri Tagboa, warned the beneficiaries against remaining needy after school, saying this will be criminal.

This scheme was launched by president Museveni last year aimed at giving loans to needy students who want to pursue higher education in science-related disciplines. It caters for tuition, research and other critical fees but upon graduation, the beneficiary is given one year to repay the loan.