Metropolitan International University Partners with Ministry to Expand Student Loan Access

National: Metropolitan International University (MIU) has taken a significant step in supporting higher education in Uganda by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education and Sports to enable eligible students to access government study loans.

Established in 2016, MIU has its main campus in Kisoro District and additional campuses in Kampala and Mbarara.

The agreement was signed on May 21, by the university’s Chancellor, Dr. Julius Arinaitwe, on behalf of the institution.

Dr. Arinaitwe revealed that the university currently has more than 11,000 students and has graduated over 6,000 learners, with about 75 percent securing gainful employment after completing their studies.

Uganda’s Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme (HESFS) is a government loan programme that supports students who are unable to afford higher education. Established in 2014, the scheme has been managed directly by the Ministry of Education and Sports since December 2024.

The scheme mainly supports students pursuing diploma and degree programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), although a few humanities courses are also eligible. Persons with disabilities can apply for funding regardless of their course of study.

Under the arrangement, students enrolled at public universities receive 100 percent tuition support, while those studying at accredited private institutions can access up to 70 percent of their tuition costs.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Vice Chancellor Dr. Julius Arinaitwe expressed optimism that the partnership would increase access to higher education for disadvantaged students, who make up a large portion of the university’s student population. He said the initiative would help many young people achieve their academic goals despite financial challenges.