President Yoweri Museveni has contributed Shs.80 million to the needy students’ scheme at the Mukono-based Uganda Christian University (UCU) so as to support students in that institution who cannot manage to meet their education requirements.

Uganda Christian University has, therefore, staged a marathon race as part of a fundraising drive towards the needy students’ scheme at which the Parliamentary Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga was the chief marathoner.  UCU’s Guild President, Timothy Kadaga was the brainchild behind the fundraising drive.

Uganda Christian University has a total student population of 13,000 out of whom 3,000 are non-resident and who need financial assistance to ensure that they obtain a university education.

President Museveni, commended the student community yesterday at their UCU campus, for their support and subscription to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) governance system. 

“Not until recently, the government created a body to link up students in institutions of higher learning with NRM. For UCU students, I am happy to tell you that the NRM team followed up the recent university leadership elections and recorded a positive report,” he said; adding that it is instrumental and developmental to link government with the community.

Mr. Museveni revealed that private universities now qualify for government intervention in terms of financial support because they have incorporated the teaching of science subjects which is in line with the NRM Government’s policy for both education and health sectors.

"The increasing number of private universities in Uganda, over 40 of them, coming up without government decision, to churn out such youthful wonderful education products, is a great achievement for the country. I thank all those groups that took advantage of establishing them,” he said. 

Regarding the request to Government by UCU Guild President to construct Bishop Tucker Road from Mukono Town to the University campus, the President said that that standard access road should be constructed because it serves to publicize the university.

While Parliamentary Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, observed that it was not a good idea to levy taxes on educational institutions, UCU Vice Chancellor, Rev. Dr. John Senyonyi, commended the government for the continued financial support to the university. He called for more input into the institution because, he added, it is taking a great leap in the investment of teaching science subjects as manifested through equipping of the laboratories.

The UCU Guild President, Timothy Kadaga, revealed that the majority of the vulnerable and needy students in the institution fall under the non-resident category. ENDS