Students' Loan Scheme and Unemployment in Uganda

trueBy Sylvia Nakalema Ndazima

The NRM government under the leadership of the President of Uganda seeks to ensure equal opportunities for all Ugandans to attain higher education through the introduction of a Students' Loan Scheme for higher education.

Higher education in Uganda was originally free covering tuition and living allowance but the growth of student numbers has meant that the Government can no longer afford to pay tuition and personal needs for all the students that qualify to join higher institutions.

It has, overtime, offered bursaries to highly qualifying students at higher institutions but with the growth in student numbers due to UPE and USE support from the Government, many qualifying students have missed the chance to join universities and other tertiary institutions on government assistance.

However, students are obliged to repay the loan (at a lower interest loan) when they complete the university or make voluntary payments during the course.

Uganda has a very fast growing young population and more so graduates from various universities and institutions, who do not match the employment opportunities. More so the country does not provide unemployment benefits that the students have used to repay the loan.

Therefore, if this loan scheme is to wholly realise its objectives, the government together with the ministry of education and sports, ministry of gender and social development, ministry of finance, economic planning and development with other stakeholders should create avenues for employing and empowering this youthful population.\

The writer is a lecturer -Uganda Martyrs University