The media launch of the HESFB (Government Loan Scheme Program) regional center at Bishop Stuart University (BSU) for the Academic Year 2021/22 took place on 18th October 2021. The center is among the 16 permanent centers that have been set up by HESFB across the country and is aimed at creating awareness of the loan application support services in the Greater Mbarara region and beyond.
Other centers include Muni University (West Nile Region), Gulu University (Acholi Region), Uganda Technical College Lira (Lango), Soroti University (Teso), Islamic University in Uganda -Mbale (Bugisu), Busitema University (Bukedi and Bugweri), Jinja District Offices (Busoga), Kyambogo University (KMP East- Central Region), Ndejje University – Kampala Campus (KMP-West, Central Region), Makerere University (KMP Central-Central Region), Masaka School of Nursing (Greater Masaka), Kabale University (Kigezi), KIU – Isaka Campus (Greater Bushenyi) and Fort portal College of Health Sciences (Toro and Bunyoro).
While at the launch, the Director Operations HESFB, Mr. Bossa Kizito highlighted that the loan application process is entirely online via https://hesfb.go.ug and the deadline for applications is 30th November 2021. Mr. Bossa also noted that they have mobile centers that will travel across the hard to reach and special regions including the Karamoja Region and the Island Districts of Kalangala and Buvuma.
Vice-Chancellors speech
SALUTATIONS
The Executive Director, Higher Education Students’ Financing Board,
The Director, Operations, Higher Education Students’ Financing Board- Mr. Bossa Kizito,
The Head Loans department HESFB-Ms. Nankunda Alison,
The Chairperson Council, BSU, Top Management team, Invited guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
WELCOME REMARKS
Praise the Almighty God! On behalf of Bishop Stuart University (BSU) Board of Trustees, University Council, Management and on my own behalf, I take this opportunity to warmly welcome you all to the launch of the HESFB Loan Application Support Centre, a collaboration between Bishop Stuart University and HESFB.
It is my great honor to host this event as we mark this partnership with HESFB. We are grateful for choosing to establish the Regional Center for the loan application support services at BSU. We have worked with HESFB since 2015 and many disadvantaged but academically vibrant students have benefited from this program as follows;
| No. | Year | No. beneficiaries |
| 1 | 2015 | 50 |
| 2 | 2016 | 38 |
| 3 | 2017 | 49 |
| 4 | 2018 | 118 |
| 5 | 2019 | 184 |
| 6 | 2020 | 85 |
| Total | 524 |
APPRECIATION
We are grateful, especially to our partners that you have chosen to spare time to attend this very important event. We wish to also inform you that we allocated office premises for HESFB Centre under the Directorate of Quality Assurance which has been the contact office since the inception of the program.
i) We appreciate The President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for Chartering BSU and continuously supporting us. More so, for establishing the HESFB by Act of Parliament as a corporate body mandated to provide loans and scholarships to vulnerable students intending to pursue Higher Education.
ii) The Ministry of Education and Sports
iii) National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for providing us with the guidance, supervision, timely accreditation of our Academic programs.
iv) HESFB for choosing BSU as one of the beneficiary Universities and more so for establishing your Regional Center at our University.
v) The University Board of Trustees (BOT), our Chancellor, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, University Council,
vi) The University Council Chaired by Prof. Kenneth Kagame and members for support and guidance to Management.
vii) Lastly, we sincerely appreciate the HESFB team for attending this launch and all of you present at this function.
Conclusion: The development and transformation in the Nation require skilled global Leaders/operators that can stand the test of time for which am sure this collaboration will bring forth.
We aspire to attain our vision statement; “Producing multi-sectorial leaders/operators, who know the way, show the way and go the way of Christ”.
Our theme for this year; 2021 is our Core value no. 5 Relentless service to Society and is backed by the scripture; Colossians 3:23-25 “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not for men… God doesn’t show favoritism” The Lord Jesus Christ pays well all who work in his vineyard and you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving.
Once again, I thank you all for honoring our invitation and witnessing this event.
Our God Reigns!
Prof. Maud Kamatenesi Mugisha (Ph.D.)
Vice-Chancellor