Equity Bank Uganda commissions 100 scholars into Leaders Program

May 10, 2025 in Business, Companies, Financial Services by Editor

Socially inclined lender, Equity Bank Uganda, has officially commissioned 100 high-performing students into the fourth cohort of the Equity Leaders Program (ELP), a flagship youth empowerment and leadership initiative of the Equity Group Foundation (EGF). The event, which marks the end of a weeklong induction period, brings the total number of ELP scholars in Uganda to 419 since the program’s launch in the country four years ago.

The newly admitted scholars were selected based on their outstanding performance in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations. The ELP is designed to identify, mentor, and support academically gifted youth through a structured leadership development pathway that includes internships, career coaching, and university admission support.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Gift Shoko, Managing Director of Equity Bank Uganda, highlighted the strategic importance of the program in shaping the country’s next generation of leaders. “The Equity Leaders Program is more than an academic honor—it is an investment in Uganda’s future. Through it, we provide young, talented individuals with the tools to grow intellectually, professionally, and ethically,” he said.

The program offers a three- to six-month paid internship at Equity Bank, during which scholars receive a monthly stipend and gain first-hand experience in banking operations and professional service delivery. After the internship, mentorship and leadership coaching continue throughout the scholars’ university education.

According to Dr. Joanne Korir, Director of Operations at Equity Group Foundation, the program is intended to build character and integrity among young leaders, preparing them to drive transformation in their communities and beyond. “These young scholars represent the vision of a future built on service, innovation, and ethical leadership. We remain committed to creating pathways that enable them to access opportunities and excel,” she said, speaking on behalf of the Foundation’s Executive Chairman, Dr. James Mwangi.

The Equity Leaders Program is part of EGF’s Education and Leadership Development pillar and is implemented in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since its inception in 1998, the initiative has benefited over 29,500 scholars across the region, with 970 scholars admitted to 233 global universities in 37 countries. Among these, 204 scholars have secured placements in Ivy League institutions on fully funded scholarships.

In Uganda, the ELP has already shown tangible outcomes. In January 2025, 29 scholars from the inaugural cohort graduated, with some joining the workforce—several of them taking on roles at Equity Bank—while others pursue careers in academia and the private sector.

Beyond the internship, the program also includes a three-month college counseling phase during which scholars receive expert guidance on essay writing, university selection, and preparation for standardised tests such as the SAT and IELTS. This support is designed to position scholars competitively for admissions into both local and international institutions of higher learning.

Speaking at the event, Equity Group Foundation Board Director Sam Bwaya commended the scholars for completing the induction program and urged them to uphold values of service and community impact. “These scholars are ambassadors of a broader vision—one where knowledge and leadership go hand in hand with humility and service. Their journey is just beginning,” he said.

The Equity Leaders Program continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing youth employability, strengthening academic achievement, and building a pan-African network of transformational leaders committed to inclusive development.