FAWE Uganda, Mastercard Foundation Announce 600 Bursaries

Forum for African Women Educationalists Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has announced 600 bursaries for the 2026/2027 academic year targeting underrepresented youth seeking to access higher education and technical training.

The bursaries are part of a broader seven-year scholarship programme running from 2024 to 2030 and being implemented across 10 Sub-Saharan African countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana and Tanzania among others.

FAWE Uganda says the programme aims to support 2,000 young people over the seven years, providing financial, academic and social support throughout their studies.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, 400 bursaries have been set aside for the Higher Education Access Certificate programme while 200 will go to students pursuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The TVET bursaries will support students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics related courses at institutions including Uganda Technical College Elgon, Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba and Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery among others.

The HEAC programme is designed for students who do not meet direct university admission requirements but demonstrate the potential to pursue higher education. After completing the one-year programme, successful participants will be supported to enrol in degree programmes at partner universities including Busitema University, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Kabale University.

Of the 400 HEAC bursaries, 80 percent will be awarded to female applicants and 20 percent to male applicants. The programme targets youth from 65 districts across Eastern, Central, Northern and Western Uganda.

To qualify, applicants must be Ugandan nationals aged between 18 and 25 years, though the age limit is extended to 30 for refugees and persons with disabilities. Applicants must have completed Senior Four or Senior Six between 2022 and 2025 and must not be beneficiaries of any other scholarship programme. FAWE Uganda is particularly encouraging orphans, refugees, persons living with disabilities and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS to apply.

Application forms are available free of charge from academic registrars at participating institutions, District Education Offices, FAWE Uganda offices in Kampala, Fort Portal and Mbarara, and the FAWE Uganda website. The deadline for submission is Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5:00pm.

FAWE Uganda warned that no payment is required at any stage of the application process and that any attempt to falsify documents or influence the selection will lead to automatic disqualification.