Get a Full Tech Scholarship in Uganda: Airtel Africa Foundation University Tech Scholarship 2026 (20 Awards)

If you’re a first-year student in Uganda aiming to study IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity, or Artificial Intelligence, this is the kind of scholarship that can change the next few years of your life. The Airtel Africa Foundation University Tech Scholarship 2026 will fund 20 promising new undergraduates with full coverage for tuition, accommodation, course materials, and a fixed stipend for essential study costs. That means you can focus on learning and building skills rather than worrying about whether you can pay the registration fee next semester.

This award is not an abstract prize; it’s a practical package designed to remove the financial barriers that stop talented students from completing a technology degree. Think of it as a lift that takes you from “I might manage” to “I can spend my time coding, studying algorithms, and building projects.” It’s also a signal—having this scholarship on your CV tells employers and future funders that an external panel vetted your potential and commitment.

Before you rush to click the apply button, take a breath. The deadline is December 18, 2025. The selection is competitive and the Foundation wants candidates who show both academic promise and genuine need. Below I’ll walk you through exactly what this scholarship covers, who should apply, how to prepare a stand-out application, and the step-by-step timeline to keep you sane.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

This scholarship is comprehensive. It covers tuition, so your semester fees are paid directly. It includes accommodation, which removes the burden of finding and financing housing near campus. Academic materials are covered—think textbooks, recommended software licenses, and course packs. In addition, recipients receive a fixed stipend intended to cover everyday course-related expenses such as transport to campus, printing, small equipment, or internet top-ups.

Beyond the money, awards like this give you access to a network. Scholarship cohorts often meet for orientation, mentoring, or workshops. While specific extracurricular programming isn’t explicitly guaranteed in the announcement, recipients typically receive communications and possibly invitations to skills sessions or industry events run by the Foundation or partners. For future employers and scholarship panels, the credential itself signals that you were selected among peers for ability and need.

Practically speaking, this takes the financial hurdle off your plate for several years (for the duration of the undergraduate program, if renewal terms are met). That freedom translates into better academic performance, more time for internships or hackathons, and the chance to build a portfolio—an essential path to getting a job in tech.

Who Should Apply

If you tick all the following boxes, you should apply: you’re a Ugandan citizen; you’ve been admitted as a first-year student into an eligible program at one of the listed universities; you’re entering university for the first time (not returning or transferring into second or third year); and you’re coming from a household with financial constraints.

Let’s be concrete. Maria from Jinja, who passed UACE with two principal passes and accepted a Computer Science offer from Kyambogo, would be a perfect candidate. So would John from Mbarara, whose family runs a small market stall and who secured admission to Mbarara University of Science and Technology to study Software Engineering. Both have academic potential and clear financial need—both meet the criteria.

If you have a Government of Uganda scholarship or any other active award that covers tuition and accommodation, you are not eligible. If you’re a returning student or in a diploma-to-degree transfer, this isn’t the call for you. If your admission is conditional (for example, awaiting final clearance or pending payment), make sure you secure a full admission letter before applying—Admission documentation is a hard requirement.

Eligibility: The Fine Print Explained

You must:

• Be a Ugandan national with valid identification.
• Be admitted as a first-year student in one of the named universities: Makerere University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, or Kyambogo University.
• Be enrolled in an eligible tech-related undergraduate program: IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity, or AI.
• Meet the university entry requirements (commonly at least two principal passes at UACE obtained in one sitting).
• Be a new entrant to the university (not a continuing student).
• Not hold any other scholarship, including those funded by government or other agencies.
• Demonstrate financial need and come from a financially constrained background.

If any of this feels unclear—especially whether your chosen course counts—contact the admissions office at your university and the foundation’s contacts well before the deadline.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Apply early and make the submission neat. Sounds obvious, but many great candidates mess up on basics: late uploads, missing signatures, or poor scans of documents. Here’s how to avoid that.

1. Gather proof of admission first. The application will expect a formal admission letter or evidence you’re registered as a first-year student. If your admission was conditional, get formal confirmation that the condition has been cleared before you apply.

2. Make your financial-need case specific and credible. Instead of writing “I come from a poor family,” provide concrete documentation: a letter from your local LC1 or parish, school fee statements showing arrears, household income estimates, or an affidavit if formal pay slips aren’t an option. Numbers and documents beat vague appeals.

3. Tell a tight story in your personal statement. Use a clear three-part structure: (1) your background and hardship, (2) why you chose your tech field and what you’ve already done (online courses, personal projects, competitions), and (3) how the scholarship will change your immediate academic path and your long-term plans. Give examples of a project or learning moment—did you build a simple app, teach coding at a local school, or complete a DataCamp course? Those specifics matter.

4. Get strong recommenders who know your academic potential. Choose someone who can speak to both your academic ability and character: a former teacher, a headteacher, or a community mentor. Give them your CV and a summary of the points you want them to highlight, and ask them to reference specific incidents, not just praise.

5. Show evidence of interest in practical tech work. If you’ve completed an online course, include the certificate. If you’ve contributed to a school project, explain your role. If you don’t have many credentials yet, outline a clear plan for how you’ll gain practical skills during your degree (internship goals, specific clubs, open-source contributions).

6. Proofread and present. Use readable fonts, scan documents clearly, make sure file names are descriptive (e.g., “John_O_Acceptance_Letter.pdf”). Avoid handwritten essays unless requested. A neat application signals responsibility.

7. Prepare for follow-up. Some applicants may be asked to attend interviews or provide additional verification. Keep copies of original documents and a scanned folder ready.

These steps won’t guarantee selection—they’ll just make sure you don’t get rejected for avoidable reasons.

Application Timeline (Work Backwards from December 18, 2025)

Start now. Deadlines creep up. Here’s a practical timeline to keep you on track.

• By November: Confirm your admission and collect a formal admission letter. Ask referees for recommendation letters and give them at least three weeks to write.
• Early December: Draft your personal statement and have two people review it (one academic, one non-specialist). Compile all supporting documents: national ID or birth certificate, UACE results, school transcripts, proof of need.
• Two weeks before deadline: Scan and test upload every document. Convert documents to PDF where requested. Ensure file sizes meet form limits.
• 48-72 hours before December 18: Final run-through. Submit your application at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute internet or form hiccups.
• After submission: Monitor your email for any confirmation or requests for additional documents. Keep communication lines open.

If you miss a document, contact the foundation as soon as possible—some programs allow limited post-submission clarifications, but don’t rely on that.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

Most successful applicants will submit a bundle that includes:

• Formal admission letter from the chosen university (must show program and year).
• UACE results showing at least two principal passes in one sitting.
• Proof of Ugandan nationality (national ID, birth certificate, or passport).
• Academic transcripts (if available) or school results documentation.
• A personal statement/essay (follow word limits if given; aim for 500–800 words if unspecified).
• Two letters of recommendation (teachers or community leaders preferred).
• Proof of financial need (affidavit, attestation from local authority, family income statement, school fee receipts).
• Recent passport photograph and contact details.
• Signed declaration that you are not receiving any other scholarship, and any forms required by the application portal.

Prepare PDFs that are clear and legible; use a smartphone scanner app to ensure good contrast. Label files consistently and back up everything in at least two places.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Selection panels are human. They respond to clarity, honesty, and believable plans. Applications that shine do three things well: demonstrate academic readiness, prove financial need with credible evidence, and articulate a realistic plan for using the degree to generate impact—whether that’s starting a tech business, joining an engineering team, or training others.

Academic readiness can be shown not just by UACE scores but by evidence of curiosity and initiative: online course certificates, participation in competitions, a GitHub portfolio, or even projects started on a phone. The panel wants to see that you will make the most of the scholarship.

Financial need should be documented. The panel sees many similar narratives; documents differentiate you. If formal pay slips aren’t available, a signed local authority letter describing household circumstances is effective.

Finally, your career narrative should be concrete. Rather than promising a vague “contribute to tech,” describe tangible next steps: internships you’ll seek, specific industry problems you want to solve (e.g., local agritech solutions), or plans to teach coding in your community. Specificity makes your ambition credible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

1. Missing the deadline. Fix: Submit at least 48 hours early and keep proof of submission.
2. Weak or vague financial documentation. Fix: Gather multiple supporting items—school fee invoices, local authority letters, household expense lists.
3. Generic essays that could be written by anyone. Fix: Use concrete examples and numbers. Tell a brief story that only you could tell.
4. Poor scans or illegible uploads. Fix: Use a scanning app and review each PDF on a laptop before uploading.
5. Choosing inappropriate referees. Fix: Select recommenders who can speak to your academic potential and give them a brief with talking points.
6. Not confirming admission status. Fix: Secure a formal admission letter or signed confirmation from the university before applying.

Avoid these common errors and your application will be judged on substance rather than form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can international students apply?
A: No. Applicants must be Ugandan nationals.

Q: I was admitted but I’m waiting for final registration—can I still apply?
A: You need a formal admission letter showing your place as a first-year student. Conditional statuses that are not cleared may harm your application.

Q: What if I already have a Government of Uganda scholarship?
A: If you hold any other scholarship that pays tuition or accommodation, you’re ineligible. The scholarship requires applicants not to have other awards.

Q: Will the scholarship cover the full duration of my degree?
A: The announcement provides full scholarship coverage for selected recipients. Confirm renewal conditions with the Foundation—often continued funding depends on satisfactory academic progress.

Q: Can I apply if my course is not exactly listed but is similar?
A: Only the listed eligible programs (IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity, AI) and participating universities are included. If your program is closely related, contact the Foundation for clarification before applying.

Q: How long before I hear back?
A: The timeline varies. After the December deadline, expect a period of review and possible interviews or document verification. If you need immediate confirmation, reach out to the Foundation after submission.

Q: Are partial scholarships offered?
A: The program is described as full scholarships. If partial awards exist, the Foundation would specify; assume full coverage when planning.

How to Apply / Next Steps

Ready to act? Follow these steps:

1. Confirm your admission and get the official admission letter from your university. Without it, your application will be incomplete.
2. Build a documents folder (PDFs) with your ID, UACE results, transcripts, proof of need, two recommendation letters, and a polished personal statement.
3. Scan carefully and label files clearly. Create backups.
4. Visit the application form, fill it out thoroughly, and upload your documents. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline—December 18, 2025.
5. After submission, save your confirmation and monitor your email for any follow-up requests.

Ready to apply? Visit the official application form here:
https://forms.zohopublic.com/qsssourcing/form/AAFFELLOWSHIP/formperma/LSSjZ5Imi4jrDxdUJEz4rUkOGrDbHR4BZR5-TBxv9zQ

If you need further information, check the Airtel Africa Foundation channels or contact the university bursar/admissions office for help securing the necessary admission documentation.

Good luck. This is a real chance to study technology without the immediate weight of fees. Prepare carefully, tell your honest story, and apply early.