Overview:
Airtel Uganda unveils 20 students selected for a 1 million dollar scholarship program to support STEM education for underprivileged youth at leading universities.
KAMPALA — Airtel Uganda has unveiled 20 students as the first beneficiaries of a 1 million dollar scholarship program aimed at boosting science and technology education in the country.
The Airtel Africa Foundation Tech Fellowship, valued at 3.85 billion Ugandan shillings, provides full funding for undergraduates from low-income households to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The initiative targets talented students from underprivileged backgrounds who face financial barriers to higher education.
The scholarship recipients will attend leading institutions, including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Airtel Uganda Managing Director Soumendra Sahu said the 1 million dollar investment over the next four years is a commitment to developing future-ready talent for the continent.
“Our mission is to create a tangible and lasting impact by ensuring that no bright mind is left behind due to financial limitations,” Sahu said. “These scholars are on a path to contribute meaningfully to Uganda and Africa’s growing digital economy.”
One of the fellows, Edgar Baluku, who is set to study telecommunications engineering at Uganda Christian University, said the funding is a life-changing opportunity.
“I have been struggling, like many students, to get school fees for my education,” Baluku said. “This scholarship gives me the chance to pursue my dreams.”
The program is part of a broader strategy by the Airtel Africa Foundation to promote digital inclusion and empower the next generation of African innovators and leaders.