Tackling Regional and Socioeconomic Disparities in Merit Scholarships

Following a recommendation from Parliament, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) conducted a study to assess the distribution of Uganda’s 4,000 University National Merit Scholarships, focusing on equitable access for all eligible students.

The findings revealed significant regional disparities and socioeconomic biases that hinder the fair allocation of these scholarships, meant to support academic excellence across the country.

The study highlighted a stark regional imbalance, with Buganda South and Buganda North receiving the highest number of scholarships.

These regions benefit from a greater concentration of government and private schools, which leads to more high-performing students.

In contrast, regions such as Karamoja, Acholi, West Nile, Lango, Elgon, and Teso were disproportionately underrepresented.

For the 2024/2025 academic year, Karamoja received only 0.3% of the scholarships (seven awards), while Acholi, West Nile, and Lango received similarly low percentages.

Factors such as poverty, inadequate educational infrastructure, lower academic performance, and insecurity in certain areas contributed to these imbalances.

Another key finding was the socioeconomic bias in the scholarship allocation process. A large portion of the scholarship recipients came from well-resourced schools that charge high fees, limiting access for students from less privileged backgrounds.

Many of the beneficiaries attended schools where the average fees exceeded Shs2,000,000 per term, further disadvantaging students from lower-income families.

This undermines the principle of rewarding academic excellence, irrespective of a student’s socio-economic status.

To address these issues, the study called for targeted interventions to support students from disadvantaged regions, including the provision of additional educational resources and mentorship programs.

It also recommended the development of a more equitable scholarship allocation formula, which would take into account regional disparities, socioeconomic status, and academic performance.

Additionally, it urged greater investment in educational infrastructure in marginalized regions to enhance the quality of education and ensure that students are better prepared for higher education.

The study also emphasized the need for awareness campaigns to inform rural and underserved communities about the importance of higher education and available scholarships.

Finally, it called for a transparent and merit-based selection process to minimize bias and corruption in the distribution of scholarships.

By implementing these recommendations, Uganda can create a more equitable scholarship system, ensuring that all students, regardless of their region or socioeconomic background, have an equal opportunity to access higher education and succeed based on their academic merit.