Sh15b for student loan scheme next fiscal year

By Vision Reporter

Government has earmarked sh15b for student loan scheme in the next year’s budget.

Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi revealed that the recently announced student loan scheme of sh5b will increase to sh15b next financial year targeting students in the science field.

Mbabazi made the remarks on Tuesday at the Space exhibition by African Space research programme at the Uganda Museum in Kampala.

He commended Captain Chris Nsamba the founder of African Space research Programme for ushering Uganda into space age.

The Premier said Government appreciates and values his resilience and is ready to support his scientific exploits.

Mbabazi made the remarks on Tuesday at the Space exhibition by African Space research programme at the Uganda Museum in Kampala.

Captain Chris Nsamba’s space technology projects are a source of inspiration for Uganda’s leverage in space science and technology.

He recently received wide media coverage for the Cadimella space observer which is capable of delivering life into space by providing oxygen and now this project awaits clearance and mission facilitation.

During the exhibition, Captain Nsamba unveiled his 2013 master piece project of a drone which can be used for deliver both civilian and military services including traffic control and disaster management. He is focused on releasing the first space drone in the world.

In 2011, they successfully manufactured and tested a space rocket protype which managed to cross the clouds in 5 seconds at a speed of about 27000Km per hour.

 Mbabazi assured Nsamba and his team that Government is now focused on promoting science and technology adding that space science is the league of nuclear energy, oil and gas for which we must build a body of knowledge to compete favorably on the global stage.

He said it is unfortunate that Africa is still suffering from jiggers when other people are going into space.

“We were enslaved and colonized because we were backward. The community may not appreciate but as leaders we recognize your pioneering spirit in space science,” Mbabazi said urging him not to give up because success awaits him.