Uganda has several funded paths into tech. Refactory in Kampala offers scholarship positions for their bootcamp. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers tuition and living expenses at partner universities including Makerere. DAAD offers STEM scholarships for Ugandan students to study in Germany. Code Queens Uganda provides free coding training for women. Makerere University government sponsorship covers tuition for students who score highly on UACE. Most programs have competitive admission, application deadlines, and eligibility requirements. Free does not mean easy to get into, but the options exist and are worth pursuing.
Refactory is one of the most respected coding bootcamps in Uganda. Based in Kampala, it produces developers who consistently find employment at local and international companies. What makes Refactory relevant to this list is that they offer scholarship-funded positions in their program.
What Refactory covers:
Scholarship eligibility: Refactory selects candidates based on aptitude and motivation rather than prior coding experience. Their entrance assessment tests logical thinking and problem-solving, not whether you already know JavaScript. This means someone with zero coding background but strong analytical skills can qualify.
How to apply: Check Refactory's website and social media channels for intake announcements. They typically run a few cohorts per year. Apply early because scholarship spots fill quickly. If you do not get a scholarship, ask about partial funding or payment plans.
Honest note: Scholarship spots at Refactory are competitive. Many applicants, limited seats. Apply, but have a backup plan. If you do not get in, Refactory's standard tuition is still less than a year of university, and the career outcomes are strong.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the largest education funding programs on the African continent. It fully funds undergraduate and graduate degrees at partner institutions worldwide, and Makerere University is among the partners.
What it covers:
Eligibility requirements: The program targets academically talented young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. You need strong academic performance (typically high UACE scores for undergraduate applicants), demonstrated financial need, and evidence of community engagement or leadership potential.
Computer science relevance: You can use the Mastercard Foundation scholarship to study Computer Science, Information Technology, or related programs at Makerere CoCIS. The scholarship covers the full cost, which removes the financial barrier that stops many talented Ugandan students from pursuing CS.
Application process: Applications typically open months before the academic year starts. Apply through the university's Mastercard Foundation scholarship portal. The process includes written applications, interviews, and verification of financial background. Start preparing early, especially gathering documentation of your financial situation.
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International scholarships offer another funded path, especially for graduate-level study.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service):
Other international options:
Honest perspective: International scholarships are transformative but extremely competitive. Application success rates are often below 10%. Apply to multiple programs and treat each application seriously. But do not make an international scholarship your only plan. Have a domestic backup path ready.
Several organizations in Uganda provide free or heavily subsidized tech training specifically for women. If you are a woman interested in coding, these programs are worth pursuing before paying for anything.
Code Queens Uganda: Offers free coding workshops and training programs for women in Kampala and other cities. Programs cover web development basics, programming fundamentals, and career readiness. Follow their social media for upcoming cohort announcements.
Women in Technology Uganda (WITU): Provides mentorship, networking, and training opportunities for women in tech. Programs range from introductory workshops to more structured training. Active community that connects aspiring women developers with mentors already working in the industry.
SheCanCODE East Africa: While headquartered in Kigali, this program has expanded its reach and sometimes offers training accessible to Ugandan women. Focuses on web development and produces job-ready graduates.
Andela-affiliated programs: Andela has historically offered free developer training in East Africa, with some programs specifically targeting women and underrepresented groups. Check their current offerings.
How to find these programs: Most announce cohorts through social media (Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook groups). Join "Women in Tech Uganda," "Kampala Developers," and similar Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Announcements often have short application windows, so checking regularly matters.
The Ugandan government funds a limited number of university places each year through its sponsorship program. This covers tuition at public universities including Makerere, Kyambogo, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and Gulu University.
How it works: Students who score highly on their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) qualify for government-sponsored places. The sponsorship covers tuition fees. Accommodation and living expenses are usually the student's responsibility.
CS/IT allocations: The number of government-sponsored spots for Computer Science and Information Technology at Makerere CoCIS is limited. Competition is intense, and cutoff points are high. Many qualified students miss the cutoff and must choose between private sponsorship (paying tuition themselves) or a different course.
District quota system: Government sponsorship is distributed partly by district, which means the cutoff score varies by location. Students from districts with fewer applicants may qualify with lower scores.
If you do not get government sponsorship: Private entry at Makerere CoCIS costs approximately UGX 1,500,000 to UGX 4,000,000 per year. Before committing to four years of private tuition, consider whether a structured bootcamp (6 to 12 months, UGX 3,400,000 to UGX 3,700,000 total) might achieve your career goals faster and cheaper. See our Makerere CoCIS guide for a fuller comparison.
Do not wait for a scholarship as your only path forward. Apply to every program you qualify for, but build skills in parallel.
If you are a current secondary school student: Focus on strong UACE results to maximize your government sponsorship chances. Apply to Mastercard Foundation and other scholarship programs. While waiting for results, start learning to code for free using freeCodeCamp or SoloLearn.
If you are a woman: Apply to Code Queens, WITU, and SheCanCODE programs immediately. These are free and specifically designed for you. Also create a free McTaba Academy account to start learning while waiting for the next cohort intake.
If you are a working adult or career changer: Most scholarships target students, not working professionals. Your best funded option may be employer-sponsored training if your company offers it. Otherwise, the most practical path is self-investment: start with Tech Foundations (~UGX 85,000) and build from there.
If you missed every deadline: Start learning today with free resources. Scholarship applications come around again. Your coding skills will not wait for a scholarship letter. Every week you spend learning makes your next application stronger because you can demonstrate commitment and progress.
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