Pioneer students of Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) Equality Scholarship have all gained university entry, and today received partial university sponsorship from the company. The 10 students, who have been admitted to different Universities in Uganda, each received Shs1.5 million for their first semester costs, as private students. “We are delighted to give these young people a helping hand in their higher education pursuit,” Onapito-Ekomoloit, the Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, Nile Breweries said. He was speaking in a ceremony at the company head office in Luzira, Kampala to flag off the students to their universities. “Each student will receive a stipend per semester for a maximum three years regardless of course duration,” Onapito said.

He explained that the original scholarship agreement covered secondary education only. This was because the students were in schools that sent the bulk to their students to university on government scholarship. “Unfortunately most our pioneers narrowly fell short of qualification for government scholarships,” Onapito said. With the average entry cost at the University – fees and other requirements – averaging Shs2.5 million, the pioneers faced the prospect of missing university education, given their family backgrounds. “This predicament informed our decision to make a contribution towards their private university education going forward,” Onapito said. Nile Breweries started the Equality Scholarship in 2011 to benefit children from communities that the company buys sorghum and barley to make beer.