Uganda hosts one of the largest concentrations of Mastercard Foundation Scholars on the continent, primarily routed through its flagship institution, Makerere University. The program is heavily dedicated to empowering marginalized youth, particularly young women, refugees, and students with disabilities from across East Africa.
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- 3.0
- Offer Degrees
- Bachelors, Masters
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
- Seats Available
- Hundreds annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- No
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Min - 35
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- No
- TOEFL
- No
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- English
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- UGX 0/mo
- Tuition
- Full
- Living Costs
- Full
- Travel & Health
- Yes / Yes
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
It provides absolute financial security in a region where higher education costs are often prohibitive. The grant covers your complete tuition, provides safe accommodation on or near campus, pays for your books and health insurance, and issues a monthly stipend. Furthermore, it integrates you into intensive mentorship and leadership programs.
Application Process
You must gain admission to a partner university (like Makerere) and simultaneously complete the grueling Mastercard Foundation financial assessment. This form requires extreme detail regarding your family's income, housing status, and educational background.
How to Win This Scholarship
The selection committee prioritizes impact over raw intelligence. Your essays must violently disrupt the idea that you are seeking a degree just to get a corporate job. You must demonstrate a clear, actionable plan to solve a problem in your specific community—whether it's rural healthcare access, agricultural efficiency, or girls' education.
If you belong to a marginalized group (e.g., you grew up in a refugee camp), you must highlight how you will use this education to uplift others in similar situations.
Benefits After Completing Study
It connects you directly to massive NGO networks and developmental organizations operating across East Africa.
The foundation conducts rigorous physical verifications of your financial status. Misrepresenting your wealth will result in immediate expulsion from the program.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source