(This article was first published in the New Vision on August 10, 2022)
By Kellen Owente
The UK government has encouraged more Ugandans to apply for its global scholarship programme – Chevening. On August 2, the UK government opened the application round for the Chevening scholarship scheme for the next academic year.
More than 1,500 individuals across the world will get Chevening scholarships to pursue master’s degrees in the UK in the fields of their choice over the 2023/2024 academic year. Of these, 13 scholarships will be given to Ugandans.
The application window for the scheme, which is one of the most prestigious and competitive globally, closes on November 1.
The British high commissioner to Uganda, Kate Airey, said the Chevening scholarship programme has produced leaders and influencers around the world, who have made a positive contribution to society.
“We encourage you to apply if you meet our eligibility crit eria and other requirements. What really matters is your ability to submit a strong application that demonstrates you are capable of excelling in an intense course in the UK,” Airey said as she unveiled a partnership between Chevening and Prudential Uganda, an insurance firm, at her residence in Kampala last week.
Under the partnership, Prudential, a branch of the British multinational insurance firm, will make a contribution to the tuition fees for Jericho Muwanga – one of the Ugandans awarded the Chevening scholarships for the 2022/2023 academic year.
Muwanga, who is currently a financial analyst at the Bank of Uganda, will in September start studying for a Master of Science in Financial Technology at the University of Liverpool. Muwanga said he will use his knowledge to contribute to financial inclusion in Uganda.
“The strength of the Chevening scholarship programme lies in the impact of these scholars, who go on to make a difference in society,” the high commissioner said.
Airey encouraged the British businesses in Uganda to support the Chevening programme to give more Ugandans the fully-funded scholarships and opportunities to study in the top universities worldwide.
The Prudential Uganda chief executive officer, Tetteh Ayitevie, said supporting talented Ugandan students to achieve their full potential through the Chevening scholarships is “gratifying and is closely aligned with our desire to support Uganda’s prosperity.”
The company, he added, has contributed to the tuition of 107 Chevening scholarship recipients from nine countries since 1997.
“We are excited and proud to be part of the efforts by the government of United Kingdom to enable young and smart Ugandans to access higher education in some of the best universities,” Ayitevie said.
The Chevening programme has produced more than 50,000 professionals around the world so far since inception in 1983. More than 200 of these are Ugandans.
Hellen Kaweesa, the chairperson of the Chevening alumni association in Uganda, said getting this scholarship is a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as recipients study in the best universities around the world.
“I encourage every Ugandan to use Chevening as an opportunity to join these universities for it will improve you as a person, your networks and perceptive on life,” Kaweesa said.
