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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION RELEASES LIST OF 2025/2026 STUDENT LOAN BENEFICIARIES — MINISTER MUYINGO ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT

Ssemaganda Moses Hope
By Ssemaganda Moses Hope


MINISTRY OF EDUCATION RELEASES LIST OF 2025/2026 STUDENT LOAN BENEFICIARIES — MINISTER MUYINGO ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION RELEASES LIST OF 2025/2026 STUDENT LOAN BENEFICIARIES — MINISTER MUYINGO ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT

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Kampala, Uganda — October 29, 2025:

The Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, has presented to the Parliament of Uganda the official statement on the approved successful beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026, administered under the Ministry of Education and Sports.


 

Following the amendment of the Higher Education Students’ Financing (HESF) Act 2024 and the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX), the Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB) was abolished and its functions mainstreamed into the Ministry of Education and Sports effective January 1, 2025. This reform aims to enhance efficiency, reduce administrative costs, and align the loan scheme with Uganda’s broader education and skills development agenda.


 


 


 


Application and Selection Overview


 


 

Dr. Muyingo informed Parliament that the Ministry received 7,125 applications, marking a 10% increase from last year’s 6,661. Of these, 2,047 students were successful — a 28.8% success rate.


 

Among the beneficiaries, 1,196 are male (59%) and 861 are female (42%), with female participation rising significantly due to the affirmative action policy granting 7 extra points to female applicants.


 

The fields of Education and Engineering recorded the highest numbers of beneficiaries — 513 and 440 respectively — aligning with the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) priorities focusing on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation-driven development.


 

Support for Students with Disabilities


 


 

The Ministry also prioritized Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under affirmative action. Out of 81 applicants, 45 students (36 males and 9 females) received loans to pursue science and humanities programs — an improvement from 29 beneficiaries last year.


 


 

Institutional and District Representation

 

Loans were awarded to students from 28 accredited universities and various Other Tertiary Institutions (OTIs). The district quota model ensured equitable regional representation — even districts with low application numbers such as Amudat, Kalangala, Moroto, and Buliisa had successful applicants.


 

Selection was based 60% on district quotas and 40% on socio-economic vulnerability, assessed through a proxy means test to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.


 


 

Funding and Budget

Although the initial budget was UGX 7.83 billion earmarked for 1,500 students, efficient allocation allowed the Ministry to support 2,047 students instead. Most beneficiaries are enrolled in Bachelor of Science with Education, which has lower unit costs compared to other programs.


 

Dr. Muyingo emphasized that the demand for student loans continues to outpace available resources, urging Parliament to increase funding for the scheme to reduce the growing number of complaints from unsuccessful applicants.


 


 


 


 

Minister’s Closing Remarks

“This scheme has continued to transform lives by giving equal access to higher education for bright but financially constrained Ugandan students,”

said Hon. Dr. J.C. Muyingo, while thanking Parliament for its consistent support to the education sector.


 

He further laid before the House a detailed report of the successful loan beneficiaries for the 2025/2026 academic year.


 

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