Africa-Press – Uganda. Airtel African Foundation through Airtel Uganda a, has unveiled a list of 20 Ugandan students, who have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Airtel Africa Fellowship.
The 20 who include 10 males and 10 females from underprivileged background have been rewarded fully funded scholarships to purse science and technology degree programs starting this month.
Speaking during the unveiling function, the board of directors at Airtel Uganda Ltd, Hannington Karuhanga said this is part of the company’s efforts to give back to society.
“Since Airtel started our key areas of corporate investment have been education, sports and health. Any company that doesn’t make any contribution to its people is probably not for people. We are here to add value to our investment but the sustainability of our business comes from these skills acquired by these students,”Karuhanga said.
He said that while the investment is being made now, the benefits will come later, noting that it is not for only the company but Uganda and Africa at large to benefit.
“This is not just for Airtel but for Uganda as a country and Africa. The value addition is going to be very deep, lasting and forever. This our promise to invest in the future of our young people, open doors of opportunity for them and invest in talents of people.”
He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the scholarships.
The Airtel Uganda Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Soumendra Sahu said these beneficiaries will drive Africa’s digital transformation.
“Our mission as Airtel is to create a tangible and lasting impact by enduring that no bright mind is left behind due to financial imitations, These scholars are on a path to contribute meaningfully to Uganda and Africa’s growing digital economy,” Sahu said.
He noted that Airtel Uganda’s mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, problem solvers and leaders who will shape the continent, noting that the scholarships fall in this line.
“Technology is the language of progress and by equipping these students with education and skills, we are investing in people and solutions that will transform communities, industries and nations,” Sahu noted.
Patrick Mbonye from Q-Sourcing Servtec, the company that beneficiaries said the 20 were got from alist of 341 applicants.
“341 people from all over the country applied and the first stage was that one had to have 2 principal passes. The list went to 252 and after assessment, it went to 76,” Mbonye said.
He said the 76 had to write letters explaining the motivation behind the course they were doing and the impact they will create.
“Then we had to assess whether you needed our help and it meant comparing to someone else to know who needed the scholarship most, bringing the number to 48. We then conducted one final check to validate the information given and it brought the number to 20 from five universities around the country,” Mbonye said, noting that the process was transparent.
The 20 are now joining the Airtel Africa Fellowship, launched in September 2024, as a flagship educational initiative of the Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa, the leading telecom and mobile money services provider with operations across 14 African countries.
In Uganda, the fellowship was launched in December last year and intends to support bright first-year undergraduate STEM students from low-income households with full tuition, accommodation, materials, and a stipend.
It focuses on empowering the next generation of digital leaders.
