Uganda

Demographic Profile

Uganda is a landlocked equatorial country with an area of 251,038 sq. kms. It is bordered by Sudan to the north, DRC to the west, Kenya to the east and Rwanda, Tanzania and Lake Victoria to the south. The population of the country is about 25 million. Official language is English, Luganda and Swahili are commonly spoken vernaculars. The currency is Uganda Shillings(US $ 1 = U.Sh. 1900 aprox.) which is freely convertible. Executive powers in Uganda vests in the President who is the Head of State, the Head of Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. President Y.K. Museveni was elected as Uganda’s first democratically elected President in May, 1996. He was re-elected in 2001. The new Constitution of Uganda was promulgated in 1995. The first parliamentary elections under this Constitution were held in 1996. The Constitution provides for a Presidential form of government, with a unicameral legislature.

Economic profile

Uganda’s economy suffered in 1970s and early 1980s due to lack of political stability and sound policies. The Economic Recovery Plan launched since 1987 has introduced a number of measures to reform, liberalise and restructure the economy. This has yielded positive results. The rates of growth have generally exceeded 6%.(for 1998-1999, the GDP grew @ 7.8% per annum). Uganda’s economy is dominated by agriculture, which accounts for about half of the GDP and over 90% of exports. The industrial base of the country is very small. Uganda shilling is fully convertible and has remained reasonably stable over the years. The foreign exchange market is now wholly liberalized. Uganda enjoys a high status with donors and lenders and receives around US $ 1 billion in foreign aid. The volume of trade between India and Uganda has increased from US $ 5.6 million in 1984 to US $ 105.5 million in 2003. India is now the second largest exporter: our exports constitute around 8.5% of Uganda’s total imports. Major exports are: pharmaceuticals, bicycle parts, automobile components, small industry and agro-processing machinery, 2-wheelers, textile fabrics etc.

Higher Education System, including enrolments

Higher education in Uganda consists of education in Universities and other tertiary institutions after six years of secondary education. The university education offers programmes of study that lead to the award of certificates/diplomas and under-graduate/post-graduate degrees. In addition, the universities also offer programmes for basic and applied research. Uganda has developed public and private universities and other tertiary institutions. Private Universities and other tertiary institutions are funded by Government. The private universities are operated and funded by private sources. However, private institutions and other tertiary institutions have to be registered with the Ministry of Education, by meeting the laid down criteria. There are four public universities and 12 private universities/130 tertiary institutions as in the academic year 2003-2004. The enrolment in the private and public universities in the academic year 2003-2004 are as under:

Number of students going abroad for higher education each year about 1000.

[Reliable figure not available]. No of students going to India is approx.250 per year.

Popular countries of destination

The United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand, China and the United States are some of the more popular destinations.

Popular programs of study

Human Medicine including Dental Surgery, Laboratory Medical Technology and Pharmacy; Agricultural Sciences including Agri-Business, Land use Management and Environmental Management; Engineering and Technology, especially Civil and Building, together with Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Industrial Chemistry; Computer Science including Information Technology; Commerce and Business Administration including Economics and Statistics; Education including Science, Arts, Social Sciences, and Adult and Community Education; Law: Social Work and Social Administration; Human Resource Management; Tourism; Mass Communication; Development Studies; Urban Planning; Public Administration; and Social Sciences.

What factors can attract students to Indian Higher educational institutions

Lower cost of education/cost of living and high-quality employment-oriented professional education will be the deciding factors in attracting Ugandan students to India. The structure of fees of Makerere University, the most prominent Univesity in Uganda, varies from about US $ 1000/- per year for MBBS course to about US $ 550 per year for B.Sc Course. Preferably the fees structure in Indian colleges should be lower than this. In addition, availability of facilities of Hostel accommodation at a very reasonable and affordable rate would be a definite incentive. Further measures that promotes the assimilation of Ugandan students in the mainstream of the Indian student community would also be a positive factor.

What is that could restrain them from coming to India for Higher education?

Basically people opt for India because of lower cost of higher education. Any enhancement of cost of education would act as a deterrent to Ugandan students. Higher cost of living for pursuing studies is another deterrent.

Our student-visa rules should also be judiciously reformed.

What promotional strategy could be adopted?

Economical cost of Education is a deciding factor for the Ugandan students. Incentives like affordable fees by the Ugandan standard, facilities of hostel accommodation at reasonable/affordable rates, measures that would promote a more homely atmosphere for the Ugandan students are important factor. We should emphasize the availability of quality education at lower/affordable cost for the Ugandan students as a promotional strategy.

As for specific promotional events, major Education Fairs(once in 2 years) with the participation of 10-12 reputed Indian institutions, should be considered

General comments

There is scope for promoting education of Ugandan students in India. If the UGC could develop appropriate promotional literature highlighting availability of quality education at reasonable/affordable cost in India, this Mission will take steps to circulate copies of the literature to all the universities in Uganda before the admission session in Feb/March. The website of all the educational institutions in India will also be circulated amongst educational institutions here for the benefit of the local students here.

One major problem that the Ugandans face is in contacting the educational institutions in India for information relating to admission procedure. Normally the e-mail addresses are not operative, the websites do not open, communication channels like telephone and fax lines are also difficult to access. Ready availability of even one copy of prospectus of the universities with this High Commission, along with the fee structure for foreign students, and contact details of the Foreign Students Adviser will make the task of applying very easy to the Ugandans. Availability of application forms free of cost with the High Commission will definitely save time and help in timely submission of applications.

Name, designation and address(e-mail & fax) of the officer in the Embassy nominated for coordinating activities of promoting Indian Higher Education.

Shri Kunal Roy,
First Secretary(Cons, Edu & HOC)
Fax no.: 256 41 254943.
Email : hoc@hicomindkampala.org, education@hicomindkampala.org