Up to 82% scholarships now available for Stanbic clients especially youth pursuing degrees and professional development with top international universities
Kampala: In a strategic move to expand access to higher education and empower young Ugandans with global learning opportunities, Stanbic Bank Uganda has partnered with UNICAF, a leading pan-African online education platform, to offer up to 82% scholarships to qualifying students.
The partnership will support Stanbic Bank clients pursuing internationally accredited Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs, as well as targeted skill-based courses, offered by UNICAF’s partner universities, primarily in the UK and Europe.
This initiative comes at a critical time when high tuition costs and limited access continue to exclude thousands of capable students from pursuing their academic and professional goals.
“Many Ugandan families continue to face real financial barriers to accessing higher education,” said Israel Arinaitwe, Head of Personal Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda.
“Through this partnership with UNICAF, we are helping to remove those barriers by offering scholarships of up to 82%. It’s one of the ways we are walking our talk in driving Uganda’s growth — by investing in people and giving our youth the tools to shape a better future.”
This opportunity is available to Stanbic clients at all levels — including youth and parents of students — and aligns with the bank’s broader agenda to deliver meaningful, non-traditional value to its customers beyond banking.
“At Stanbic, we believe that education is a cornerstone of national development,” Arinaitwe added. “All of us are where we are today because someone invested in our education. As Uganda’s leading financial institution, it is our responsibility to ensure that more young people are able to reach their full potential.”
The offer also includes scholarships for professional courses in areas like leadership, programming, marketing, and soft skills — with special packages for students from Senior 2 to Senior 6, further expanding access and inclusivity. These shorter courses are ideal for students preparing for the future job market and can be accessed with proof of a Stanbic Bank account held by the student or their parent.
According to Moses Turyagumanawe, UNICAF’s Uganda Country Representative, the collaboration is designed to close the gap between financial need and academic opportunity.
“UNICAF was established to democratize higher education access in Africa,” Turyagumanawe said. “Partnering with Stanbic Bank allows us to extend this mission further — offering top-quality degrees and professional certifications to more Ugandans at a fraction of the cost, with flexible online learning that fits their lives.”
UNICAF partners with reputable institutions such as the University of Suffolk, Liverpool John Moores University, and University of East London, providing globally recognized qualifications that prepare learners for competitive global and local markets.
Brenda Namanda, Manager for Youth and Family Banking at Stanbic Bank emphasized the long-term national impact of such a partnership.
“Education is the heartbeat of the economy,” Namanda said. “We are investing in our youth today so that Uganda has the skilled professionals and leaders it will need tomorrow. We have already seen success with similar initiatives among our employees, and now we’re thrilled to offer these opportunities to our broader customer base.”
“Imagine accessing a fully accredited master’s degree at a globally recognized university — with up to 82% of the cost covered. This is not just financial support; it’s a transformational opportunity for thousands of young Ugandans,” she added.
Stanbic Bank has long championed youth-focused education initiatives including the Stanbic National Schools Championship, the Graduate Trainee Program, and the Women Elevate Programme (in partnership with WITU), underscoring its commitment to building a more inclusive, educated, and prosperous Uganda.
