Airtel Africa Foundation Unveils 20 Tech Fellows to Pursue ICT Studies at Leading Ugandan Universities

Kampala, Uganda | 5 February 2026 — Airtel Africa Foundation has unveiled 20 students selected to benefit from fully funded scholarships worth more than UGX 3.85 billion, enabling them to pursue science and technology degree programmes at various universities across Uganda.

The scholarships, which take effect starting February 2026, target talented students from underprivileged backgrounds, in line with the Foundation’s goal of expanding access to quality education and digital skills development.

The initiative, dubbed the Airtel Africa Foundation Tech Fellowship, was recently launched to support undergraduate students from low-income households across Africa, helping them overcome financial barriers that often limit participation in the fast-growing digital economy.

The beneficiaries will pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes at leading institutions including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University, and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Airtel Uganda Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Soumendra Sahu, said the fellowship marks a significant milestone in transforming the lives of young Ugandans and positioning them to contribute to the continent’s digital future.

“Today marks a new chapter in the lives of 20 remarkable young Ugandans, the recipients of the Airtel Africa Foundation Tech Fellowship. Our mission is to create a tangible and lasting impact by ensuring that no bright mind is left behind due to financial limitations,” Sahu said.

He added that Airtel is committed to nurturing innovators and problem-solvers who will help shape Africa’s progress through technology.

“Technology is the language of progress, and by equipping these students with education and skills, we are investing in people and solutions that will transform communities, industries, and nations,” he noted.

The Foundation said the fellowship represents a major investment in future-ready talent, with the programme valued at approximately UGX 3.85 billion (USD 1.024 million) spread over four years.

One of the scholarship recipients, Edgar Baluku, a student at Uganda Christian University, described the fellowship as a life-changing opportunity that will enable him pursue his ambition of building a career in telecommunications engineering.

“I am very excited about this opportunity. I have been struggling, like many students, to get school fees for my education. This scholarship gives me the chance to pursue my dreams and make my parents and the entire clan proud,” Baluku said.

Airtel Africa Foundation noted that the Tech Fellowship is part of its broader strategy to promote education, digital inclusion and youth empowerment across the continent by investing in students with the potential to drive Africa’s transformation.

Sahu said the programme reinforces Airtel’s commitment to ensuring that talent is not limited by financial hardship, adding that it complements other initiatives such as the Airtel-Unicef partnership, which has already connected over 84,000 learners in 246 schools across Uganda to digital learning platforms.

“Through this fellowship, the Airtel Africa Foundation advances its mission to ensure that financial limitations do not silence talent, ambition, or the power to transform communities,” Sahu said.