Victoria University has today announced full scholarships for five disadvantaged Ugandans who will join this year’s academic intake that begins on March 1.
The individuals with incredible stories include David Siya, a traffic police officer attached to the Central Police Station in Kampala. Siya sat his A-Levels in 2012 but opted to join the police force because his family didn’t have the resources to help him pursue further studies. He is now going to pursue a Degree in Public Health.
Another lucky Ugandan is Sylvester Lulenzi from Jinja. Lulenzi has been hawking second hand clothes because his father is a disabled man who was unable to meet his tuition for further studies.
The scholarships are awarded by Victoria University and financed by the Ruparelia Foundation.
Moses Ssemitego from Kalungu is another winner of a fully paid scholarship. He had given up on continuing with education and was tilling the land with his mother in the village in order to put food on the table.
Ssemitego’s mother describes the scholarship as a miracle because she recently developed high blood pressure as a result of worrying about how her children would continue with their education when when she is penniless.
Two slots went to females; Feddy Akello and Swabrah Mbawomye.
“Thank you Ruparelia Foundation for changing lives,” VU acting Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga said.
Victoria University Promoter Rajiv Ruparelia revealed that every academic year, depending on the various situations and opportunities, VU will be opening up, close to 100 full scholarships, to selected students, under different categories.
“However, we also know that there are several other students who are struggling to secure tuition, to ably join this University. The Ruparelia Foundation has given Victoria University bursaries which we are using to make education accessible to all Ugandans; by granting a 60% reduction of tuition,” he said.
“There are only a few slots left, of the 1,000 slots for this February to March intake. We will give out only 600 bursaries for Applicants in a Direct Entry Procedure; and 400 other slots will be offered through the Additional Quota, awarded through selected leaders, in communities around the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, VU has warned people to beware of conmen who purport that they are the university’s representatives.
“It is important, that before you deal with any leader in your community, stating that he or she acting on our behalf; make sure you contact Victoria University to confirm the authenticity. No student is allowed to pay any amount of money to these leaders in your community. Once recommended by any local leader in your community or district, you will be required to follow up, for your admission, at our head office, at Victoria University, in Kampala. Please take this caution seriously,” the University notes.
The bursaries, are open to all students around the country, who meet the required minimum set standards.
VU will be holding its fifth graduation ceremony this Friday.