Bugisu Education Drive: Bamasaaba Institution Announces Thousands of University Scholarships

The Bamasaaba Cultural Institution has announced the availability of many scholarship opportunities for students from the Bugisu region seeking to pursue higher education during the 2026/2027 academic year.

According to the Spokesperson of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, the scholarships have been secured through partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the cultural institution and several universities in Uganda.

Masiga said the opportunities cover a wide range of academic disciplines and levels of study, including certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and PhDs. However, he clarified that the scholarships do not carry uniform terms, with some institutions offering full scholarships while others provide partial tuition waivers.

He urged students from Bugisu to take advantage of the opportunities and pursue academic qualifications that can improve their professional prospects and contribute to the development of the region.

Livingston University

Masiga said Livingston University has an open scholarship arrangement with the Bamasaba Cultural Institution under an existing Memorandum of Understanding.

Under the arrangement, students can apply for different academic programmes offered by the university. The university provides a 30 percent tuition waiver, leaving the student responsible for paying the remaining 70 percent.

He encouraged prospective students to establish the specific admission and academic requirements for their preferred programmes before applying.

St Lawrence University

According to Masiga, St Lawrence University has offered the cultural institution 100 full scholarships.

The scholarships cover selected programmes in the arts as well as science-related areas, including Public Health and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The full scholarships are expected to provide an opportunity for students who might otherwise struggle to meet the cost of university education.

Kampala International University

Masiga also disclosed that Kampala International University (KIU) has provided the Bamasaba Cultural Institution with more than 100 scholarship opportunities under a 50 percent bursary arrangement.

Under the arrangement, beneficiaries are expected to meet half of the tuition costs.

The opportunities cover programmes including Law, Public Administration, Business Administration and other arts-related disciplines, with opportunities available at certificate, diploma, bachelor's, master's and PhD levels, subject to the university's admission requirements.

Seeta University

The Spokesperson further said Seeta University has made more than 50 scholarship opportunities available to the cultural institution.

The scholarships cover a range of disciplines, including arts, medicine and other academic programmes offered by the university.

Masiga urged prospective beneficiaries to contact the cultural institution for clarification on the available programmes, eligibility requirements and applicable tuition arrangements.

Ibanda University

Ibanda University has also extended scholarship opportunities to the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, according to Masiga.

He said the scholarships are available across different fields of study, with the university covering 70 percent of tuition, while the student is required to meet the remaining 30 percent.

The arrangement, he noted, is intended to make university education more accessible to students from Bugisu who meet the relevant academic requirements.

Call to Bugisu Students

Masiga called upon students and parents across Bugisu to make use of the opportunities rather than allowing available scholarships to go unused.

He said the cultural institution is interested not only in helping students gain admission to universities but also in seeing beneficiaries successfully complete their studies and graduate.

“As a cultural institution, we shall come and witness your graduation,” Masiga said, emphasizing the institution's commitment to supporting beneficiaries through their academic journey.

He added that the cultural institution wants to move away from situations where individuals claim to have obtained academic qualifications without verifiable evidence of having completed university studies.

Masiga said academic achievement should be demonstrated through legitimate academic records and graduation, rather than merely making claims about one's educational status.

Media Practitioners Encouraged to Pursue Journalism Studies

The Spokesperson specifically appealed to people from Bugisu working in the media who are attached to the Office of the Spokesperson, Bukuka, to consider using the opportunities to further their education, particularly in journalism and related disciplines.

He said strengthening the academic and professional capacity of journalists and other media practitioners would contribute to better communication and documentation of issues affecting the Bamasaba community.

Cultural Institution Thanks Partner Universities

On behalf of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution and His Highness the Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma, Masiga expressed appreciation to the participating universities for partnering with the institution to promote higher education in Bugisu.

He commended Kampala International University, Livingston University, Seeta University, St Lawrence University and Ibanda University for extending scholarship opportunities to students from the region.

“Our gratitude to you will never diminish,” Masiga said, thanking the universities for supporting the cultural institution's education agenda.

Academic Requirements Still Apply

While encouraging students to apply, Masiga cautioned that scholarship beneficiaries must still satisfy the relevant academic and admission requirements of the respective universities.

He explained that applicants are expected to meet requirements such as the required A-Level principal passes, where applicable, or other academic qualifications depending on the level and programme being applied for.

He further clarified that the scholarships are offered according to the conditions agreed upon between the cultural institution and the respective universities, and that applicants should not be subjected to additional unofficial conditions.

Prospective applicants were therefore encouraged to seek accurate information directly from the Bamasaba Cultural Institution before making commitments.

Recognition for Cultural Institution Leadership

The Office of the Spokesperson also recognized the role played by His Highness the Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Paul Mwambu and the entire Bamasaaba Cultural Institution cabinet in lobbying for educational opportunities for people from Bugisu.

Masiga said the leadership's efforts to establish partnerships with universities are intended to widen access to higher education and improve the academic and professional capacity of the people of the region.

He urged students, parents and other interested members of the public to respond positively to the initiative and ensure that the available opportunities translate into actual enrolment and successful completion of studies.

How to Get More Information

Students interested in the scholarship opportunities have been advised to contact the Spokesperson of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution on 0782 231577 or visit the Bamasaba Cultural Institution offices directly for further guidance.

The institution says applicants will be assisted with information concerning the available universities, programmes, scholarship percentages, admission requirements and other applicable conditions.

The announcement comes as the 2026/2027 academic year approaches, with the cultural institution encouraging students from Bugisu to view education as an important pathway toward professional development and socio-economic transformation.

Masiga's message is that the scholarship opportunities should not remain on paper: eligible students must come forward, apply, meet the required academic standards and make use of the partnerships established to expand access to higher education in Bugisu.