For many Ugandan students, gaining university admission is only the first hurdle. Paying tuition fees, accommodation, meals, transport, and other academic expenses can be equally challenging. Fully funded scholarships offer a route to higher education for students who have the academic ability but lack the financial means to continue studying.
Several scholarship providers support students studying at universities in Uganda. These include the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, specialised university scholarship programmes, and government-supported education funding initiatives. However, eligibility, coverage, and application deadlines vary, so students need to verify each opportunity before applying.
As of 26 October 2026, some widely publicised scholarship application periods for the 2026/2027 academic year have already closed. Prospective applicants should check official announcements for any extensions, additional rounds, or forthcoming opportunities for the next academic year.
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University is one of the major scholarship programmes available to academically talented young people facing financial barriers to higher education.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, Makerere University announced 245 undergraduate scholarships and 13 master’s scholarships through the programme. The awards were intended for students joining the university’s main campus.
What does the scholarship cover?
The programme provides comprehensive scholarship support intended to help students overcome financial and social barriers to university education. Applicants should consult the official scholarship guidelines for the precise benefits and conditions applicable to their course and award.
In addition to financial assistance, the programme aims to help scholars develop leadership skills and transition into meaningful employment.
Who can apply?
The published 2026/2027 undergraduate announcement set out several requirements:
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Applicants needed to have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus under the private sponsorship scheme.
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They needed qualifying secondary school or diploma credentials, or an eligible mature-age entry route for refugees.
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They had to demonstrate financial need and leadership or community service.
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Applicants generally had to be aged 28 or younger at the deadline, with a higher age limit of 32 for specified refugee, internally displaced, and disability categories.
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Applicants could not already hold another scholarship.
The programme also prioritised young women and applicants facing particular social and economic barriers. Students must check the official announcement for the complete conditions.
Application status: The published deadline was 5 June 2026, which has passed. The announcement does not establish that applications are currently open.
Official application portal: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
Students planning to apply in a future intake should monitor the portal for new announcements rather than submit information against an expired application call.
2. Government scholarships announced by Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports
The Ministry of Education and Sports publishes scholarship opportunities offered through bilateral agreements, foreign governments, universities, and other education partners.
Although some of these scholarships allow Ugandans to study abroad, the ministry’s announcements are also a useful starting point for students researching government-supported education opportunities.
The ministry’s scholarship page includes announcements relating to countries such as Serbia, Algeria, India, China, Egypt, and Hungary, among others. Each programme has its own selection criteria, eligible courses, application procedures, and deadlines.
Students who specifically want to study within Uganda should read the destination and institution requirements carefully. A scholarship advertised by the Ugandan government is not necessarily intended for study at a Ugandan university.
Where to check: Ministry of Education and Sports scholarships page.
This is particularly useful for applicants who want to monitor new scholarship announcements for the 2027/2028 academic year.
3. Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme
The Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme is another option for Ugandans who cannot afford university education. It is administered by the Ministry of Education and Sports and supports eligible students in recognised higher education institutions.
However, this scheme must not be confused with a fully funded scholarship. Its financing arrangements include student loans, which recipients may be required to repay.
According to the ministry, eligible students can receive assistance for academic expenses such as tuition, functional fees, and research fees. Support for accommodation or meals may be available in specific circumstances, depending on the funding provided. Students may still need to cover living expenses and other costs themselves.
Who is eligible?
The published eligibility requirements include Ugandan citizenship, admission to an accredited institution in Uganda, financial need, and enrolment in an eligible diploma or degree programme.
The scheme focuses on selected programmes, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, alongside certain humanities courses. Persons with disabilities have additional course eligibility provisions under the published guidance.
Applicants should review the current rules and participating institutions before applying.
Official information: Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme.
Students seeking funding that does not have to be repaid should establish whether an award is explicitly a scholarship rather than a loan before accepting it.
4. University-specific scholarships in Uganda
Students should also investigate scholarships advertised directly by universities and their faculties. These awards may be supported by foundations, development partners, private companies, alumni, or charitable organisations.
Some programmes target students entering their first year, while others support continuing students who have demonstrated strong academic performance or financial need.
The important point is that a university offering scholarships does not mean every course or student qualifies. Some awards are restricted to a particular degree, year of study, gender, disability category, or field of work.
Kabale University scholarships
For students interested in science and mathematics teacher education
Kabale University advertised scholarships for female students pursuing the Bachelor of Science with Education programme for the 2026/2027 academic year through the Leaders in Teaching Uganda programme.
The advertised package covered full tuition, accommodation, and a laptop. Eligible applicants included Ugandan women aged 18 to 35 with financial need who had been admitted to the specified programme and were pursuing eligible science, mathematics, agriculture, or ICT teaching subjects.
Application status: The advertised deadline was 15 July 2026, which has passed. Students should contact the university or check its official announcements for any future intake.
Official information: Kabale University.
EACOP scholarship for selected final-year students
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline project also advertised tuition support for financially disadvantaged Ugandan students in selected final-year degree programmes at Makerere University and Kyambogo University.
The published opportunity targeted final-year Computer Science students at Makerere and Telecommunications Engineering students at Kyambogo who met specified academic and financial criteria. It covered tuition for one academic year, subject to continued enrolment and good conduct.
This was a restricted award rather than a general scholarship available to all university applicants.
Application status: The deadline was 1 July 2026, which has passed.
Official information: EACOP scholarship announcement.
These examples demonstrate why students should examine the funding coverage and deadlines carefully instead of assuming every advertised scholarship is still accepting applications.
5. Where to find more fully funded scholarships in Uganda
Students can improve their chances of finding suitable funding by checking several official sources regularly.
| Scholarship source | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Makerere University scholarship portal | Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship calls |
| Ministry of Education and Sports | Government and international scholarship announcements |
| Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme | Student funding and scholarship-related information |
| Kabale University | University announcements and specialised funding |
| EACOP | Corporate education support and future scholarship calls |
Applicants should also check the websites of other accredited universities in Uganda, including Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Gulu University. Availability varies, and a scholarship should only be described as fully funded when its published terms support that claim.
6. How to apply for a fully funded scholarship in Uganda
Finding an opportunity is only the first step. A strong application must satisfy the eligibility requirements and provide the evidence requested by the scholarship provider.
Step 1: Confirm that you qualify
Read the announcement carefully. Check the citizenship rules, age limit, academic qualifications, financial circumstances, eligible courses, and admission requirements.
Do not assume that good grades alone guarantee eligibility.
Step 2: Secure admission if required
Some scholarships require applicants to obtain university admission before applying for financial support. Others allow the scholarship and admission processes to run alongside each other.
Follow the specific instructions for your chosen programme.
Step 3: Prepare the required documents
Depending on the opportunity, applicants may need:
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Academic certificates and result slips.
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A university admission letter.
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A national identity card or other accepted identification.
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Recommendation letters.
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A personal statement explaining their academic goals and financial circumstances.
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Evidence of disability or refugee status, where relevant.
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A curriculum vitae or records of leadership and community service.
Only submit documents requested by the official provider, and ensure that the information is accurate.
Step 4: Explain your financial need clearly
When an application requests evidence of financial hardship, explain your circumstances honestly and specifically. Describe the financial barriers affecting your education and how the scholarship would help you complete your studies.
Avoid exaggerated claims or information that cannot be supported.
Step 5: Apply through the official channel
Use the application portal or submission method identified in the official announcement. Keep a copy of your application and any confirmation you receive.
Never pay an intermediary who promises to guarantee a scholarship. Makerere University’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program explicitly warns applicants that its application process is free.
7. How to tell whether a scholarship is fully funded
The phrase fully funded can mean different things depending on the provider. Before applying, examine the benefits rather than relying on the headline.
| Expense | What applicants should verify |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Whether all tuition costs are covered for the full programme |
| Accommodation | Whether university housing or a housing allowance is included |
| Meals | Whether a stipend or meal allowance is provided |
| Learning materials | Whether books, equipment, and other academic costs are covered |
| Transport | Whether local or travel expenses are included |
| Research costs | Whether laboratory, dissertation, or research fees are covered |
| Personal expenses | Whether the scholarship provides a living stipendA scholarship covering tuition alone may be valuable, but it does not necessarily eliminate the financial burden of attending university. |
Whether the scholarship provides a living stipendA scholarship covering tuition alone may be valuable, but it does not necessarily eliminate the financial burden of attending university.
Students should also establish whether the award is renewable each year and whether they must maintain a particular grade average, fulfil community service requirements, or meet other conditions to retain the funding.
8. When should Ugandan students apply?
Scholarship application periods differ by provider. Some opportunities are announced several months before the academic year begins, while others are advertised during the academic year or target continuing students.
For applicants seeking admission in 2027, the practical approach is to begin preparing now rather than waiting for an application announcement.
Monitor official university websites, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and scholarship portals. Keep academic documents ready, check your email regularly, and note application deadlines as soon as they are published.
An old scholarship announcement can still be useful for understanding the provider’s eligibility requirements, but it should never be presented as an open opportunity without confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a fully funded scholarship to study in Uganda?
Yes. Scholarship programmes such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University have offered comprehensive financial support to eligible students. Other universities and organisations also advertise targeted awards. However, each programme has its own conditions, and not every award covers all living and academic expenses.
Which university in Uganda offers fully funded scholarships?
Makerere University has offered scholarships through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Kabale University has also advertised specialised scholarships for eligible female science and mathematics student teachers. These programmes have different eligibility requirements and application periods. Applicants should check official announcements for future intakes.
Are fully funded scholarships available for undergraduate students in Uganda?
Yes. Undergraduate scholarships have been advertised through programmes such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. Eligibility may depend on academic qualifications, financial need, age, admission status, and other programme-specific conditions.
Can students from low-income families apply?
Yes. Several scholarship programmes explicitly consider financial need. Some also prioritise applicants facing additional barriers, including disability, displacement, refugee status, or underrepresentation. Applicants should provide truthful information and follow the documentation requirements.
Is the government student loan scheme a fully funded scholarship?
No. The Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme includes loans that may need to be repaid. Although it can help eligible students meet academic costs, applicants should distinguish loan financing from a scholarship that does not require repayment.
Are scholarship applications free?
It depends on the provider’s official rules. Makerere University’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program states that its application process is free. Applicants should verify the requirements for every other programme and be cautious of individuals demanding money in exchange for guaranteed selection.
Final advice for students searching for scholarships in Uganda
The most effective way to find fully funded scholarships for Ugandan students in Uganda is to follow official announcements, compare the actual benefits, and apply only when you meet the eligibility criteria.
For students preparing for the next intake, Makerere University’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Ministry of Education and Sports are useful starting points. University-specific scholarships may also provide opportunities for students pursuing particular courses or careers.
Because application deadlines change from one academic year to another, verify the latest notice before making financial or academic decisions. A scholarship is worth pursuing when the funding, eligibility requirements, and application dates are clear.
