Nkumba University today hosted a delegation from the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) as part of an on-site assessment to determine the institution’s suitability to host beneficiaries under Phase II of the East African Community Scholarship Programme (EACSP), an initiative aimed at strengthening regional integration through higher education.
The scholarship programme, dubbed Leadership to Foster Regional Integration, is implemented by the IUCEA with financial support from the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW Development Bank.
The assessment visit follows an application submitted by Nkumba University earlier this year seeking accreditation to host Master’s students under the programme.
In a letter dated June 11, 2026, IUCEA Executive Secretary Prof. Idris A. Rai informed the university that after a technical evaluation of applications received from across the region, Nkumba University’s Master of Information Systems and Technology programme had been shortlisted for the due diligence stage.
“Following the technical evaluation of applications received, your university has been shortlisted for due diligence. Master of Information Systems and Technology has been recommended to proceed to this stage of the selection process,” Prof. Rai stated in the communication.
The verification team, led by Mr Moses Asasira, engaged university officials in reviewing supporting documentation and inspecting facilities related to the delivery of the proposed programme and other critical services that would support prospective scholarship beneficiaries.
The delegation was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jude Lubega, who expressed appreciation to the regional body for considering the institution.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Inter-University Council for East Africa. We have the capacity to run the selected programme and even more. I am confident that the team will find us fit and bona fide to host the scholarship beneficiaries,” Prof. Lubega said.
The assessment covered key areas including academic capacity and programme delivery, operational policies, international students’ support and welfare services, risk identification and mitigation mechanisms, as well as inspection of physical facilities.
Speaking in her capacity as Acting Director of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Dr Anne Abaho said the visit represented an important milestone in the university’s efforts to secure a place in the regional scholarship scheme.
“This visitation brings us one step closer to eventually being considered. We are optimistic that the team will find us practically aligned with the requirements of the programme,” Dr Abaho said.
Under the scholarship arrangement, selected institutions are prohibited from hosting students from their home countries. Should Nkumba University be approved, the scholarships will therefore benefit students from other East African Community member states and not Ugandan nationals.
The East African Community Scholarship Programme was established to promote academic excellence, student mobility, and stronger regional cooperation through higher education. The initiative seeks to nurture future leaders equipped with cross-border experiences and skills necessary to advance East Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
Over the years, the Inter-University Council for East Africa has spearheaded several regional initiatives aimed at harmonising higher education standards and enhancing collaboration among universities within the East African Community.