Nurturing Talent, Building Futures: Over 100 student athletes admitted to Uganda’s public universities under Sports Scheme.

Nurturing Talent, Building Futures:Over100 student athletes admitted to Uganda’s public universities under Sports Scheme.

More than 100 student-athletes have been admitted to nine public universities across Uganda under the government-sponsored sports scheme for the 2025–2026 academic year. This initiative recognizes and rewards students with exceptional sporting talent by offering them higher education opportunities.

The student athletes have been admitted to 9 different Public universities across the country under the sports scheme namely Kyambogo University, Makerere University, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Lira University, Soroti University, Busitema University, Makererere Univesiry Business School (MUBS) and Kabale University.

Makerere University (MAK) will admit over 40 athletes ,Makerere University Business School (MUBS) over 20 athletes,Kyambogo University (KYU) 10,Kabale University (KAB) 4,Lira University 3 while Gulu ,Lira, Mbarara Soroti ,Busitema will admit an athlete each.

Some sports like chess, rugby, basketball, and hockey dominate the list with the highest number of admitted students. Chess has 22, Hockey 13, rugby 12 and basketball 10.

The gender distribution varies per sport for example netball and volleyball are female-dominated, while rugby and football are male dominated while chess, badminton, basketball, and hockey are fairly balanced.

The SCIENCE-BASED PROGRAMMES include the following

-Bachelor of Electrical Engineering,Bachelor of Civil Engineering,Bachelor of Pharmacy,Bachelor of Architecture,Bachelor of Dental Surgery,Bachelor of Nursing,Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB),Bachelor of Science in Statistics,Bachelor of Industrial Art and Applied Design and Bachelor of Science with Education.

ARTS & HUMANITIES PROGRAMMES

Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, Bachelor of Arts with Education and Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES

(Mostly at Makerere University Business School – MUBS)

Bachelor of Business Computing, Bachelor of Office and Information Management, Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration,Public Sector Management and Accounting and Procurement-related programs.

What the athletes had to say?

“I’m feeling good , i screamed with excitement the moment I saw the list. This was the very program I wanted initially and am happy I got it “Kabanda Hisham Ramsey admitted to pursue a Bachelors’ Degree Civil Engineering . Kabanda is a rugby player from St. Mary’s College Kisubi

“I am grateful to the Lord for the milestone and I pray I continue in the right path thereafter”. Kiggundu Desire Emmanuel on his admission to pursue a Bachelors’ Degree in Civil Engineering. Kiggundu was a lawn Tennis player at King’s College Budo. He is also a Lawn Tennis umpire after studying through USSSA Capacity building.

Below are some of these talented athletes admitted via the sports scheme.

Chess: Atuhaire Fiona (Maryhill High School),Akamumpa Timothy (Ntare School), Namirimu Happy Britney and Mwangala Esther Khainza (King’s College Budo), Musumba Joel (Mengo SS), Atukwasa Harold (Makerere College School -Mulawa, Muluma Abdul Karim (Kibuli SS), Ssenyonga Kenneh (Mengo SS) ,

Rugby: Omoding Ernest (Namilyango College), Kabanda Hisham Ramsey (St. Mary’s College Kisubi) ,Mulindwa Jamal Deen,Katumwa,SSekyoya Phillip ,Kwesiga Jeremy Gordon,Sswewagude Joshua E.B, and Muhumuza Clarence all from King’s College Budo and Nahabwe Naboth (St. Kaggwa Bushenyi High School )

Hockey: Tumushabe Richard (Ntare School), Igasira Joel (King’s College Budo), Anyikirize Shibah

Basketball: Nanziri Samalie Patience and Nalweyiso Babirye, (Nabisunsa Girls), Lyaka Joan Desire (Gombe SS), Karen Nakibuuka (Mengo SS), Nantaba Yudaya (Gombe SS), Lule Imran Abdul Swabul (Gombe SS), Muhumuza Allan (Ntare School), Ahabwe Peace (Gayaza High School) and Namanya Jackie (Immaculate Heart)

Volleyball : Nakisendo Aisha ,Turinawe Patience Mbabazi  (Nabisunsa Girls’ School) Arinda Nduhukire (Immaculate Heart Girls’ ), Asasira Tracy Gift (Maryhill High School) and Nagasha Tess (St. Mary’s College Rushoroza).

Badminton: Achiro Elizabeth and Nailah Mubarak (Nabisunsa Girls’) , Ainembabazi Anita Asasira (Gombe SS), Nalwanga Rosemary,Muluma Melanie  and Aisu Joylene (Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga) ,Nyangosah Livingstone Emmanuel (Namilyango College) Maria Pauline Nakiboneeka (Gayaza High)

Lawn Tennis: Turyomuruwe Ritah Nabisunsa Girls,Kiggundu Desire Emmanuel and Leon Nsiita Kalungi both from King’s College Budo and Namtumbwe Halimah (Kibuli SS)

Handball: Nassanga Habitullah (Gombe SS), Atukunda Joshua (Ntare School),Nahwera Prossy (Immaculate Heart Girls’) ,Kisige Moses (Seeta High Green) ,Ahabwe Linda Denise (Maryhill High )

Dance Sport: Kiige Tevin (Ndejje SSS) and Atwijuka Derrick (St. Mary’s College Rushoroza)

Beach Soccer: Akoragye Allan (Ntare School) and Nabimanya Paul (Ntare School)

Athletics: Basule Abdul Rahim and Kavuma Abdul Bastu both from Gombe SS.

Football: Mutesi Carol Esther (Ndejje SSS) and Batanda Ivan (Gombe SS)

Woodball: Mumbere Franclic (Kitagata SS) and Agaba Kelvin Sunday (Ntare School)

Netball: Zahara Walugembe, Nakawuki Hellen Quraimah, Nantumbwe Asmati Hudah, Nalugya Azzah Mansoor all from (Gombe SS)

What is the sports scheme?

Public universities in Uganda offer a sports scheme as part of their admissions process, allowing talented athletes to gain admission based on their sporting achievements, alongside meeting academic requirements. This scheme aims to boost opportunities for talented sports persons in accessing university education.

Key Points about the Sports Scheme:

Academic Standards: Candidates must still meet the minimum academic requirements for university admission.

Outstanding Athletic Performance: Beyond academics, candidates need to demonstrate exceptional sporting abilities.

Government Sponsorship: The sports scheme is often part of the government sponsorship program, offering financial support to admitted students.

Admission Lists: Universities release separate admission lists for the sports scheme alongside other categories like national merit and disability schemes.

Boosting Opportunities: The scheme is designed to give talented athletes a chance to pursue higher education, which might otherwise be difficult due to financial constraints or other factors.