Uganda’s Education Ministry Rejects 1,881 Student Loan Appeals Due to Funding Shortfall
KAMPALA, December 12, 2025 — The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced it cannot approve any appeals for student financial aid this academic year, leaving nearly 1,900 applicants without hoped-for support due to a lack of funds.
In an official notice, the Ministry confirmed it received 1,881 appeals from students who were initially unsuccessful in securing loans under the government’s Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme (HESFS). The appeals process is a legal provision under Section 21 of the relevant Act, allowing applicants to contest the first-round selection results.
However, the Ministry stated that the allocated budget for the 2025/2026 financial year is “insufficient to accommodate these additional requests.”
“While the Ministry fully recognizes the importance of higher education financing in promoting equitable access to learning opportunities, the available budget… is insufficient,” read the notice signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kedrace R. Turyagyenda.
The Ministry stressed that the decision was “purely financial” and not a reflection of the appeals’ merit. It expressed regret for the disappointment caused and reiterated its commitment to lobbying for increased funding so more eligible students can benefit from the scheme in future years.
The HESFS is a key government initiative aimed at providing loans to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education in accredited institutions. The inability to fund the appeals highlights the ongoing tension between significant demand for educational support and constrained public resources.
The Ministry concluded by urging affected students and the public to understand the fiscal challenges behind the decision.
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