Makerere university has partnered with Stanbic bank Uganda to offer laptops to students on loan basis at affordable interest rates. The development was announced on Thursday 10th March, 2022 at the ‘laptop launch’ event.
According to this new development, Makerere university students will be able to get laptops for as low as 70,000 Uganda shilling which shall be the monthly premium under the loan agreement. To acquire one, students shall be required to apply and the successful applicants shall be contacted to pick the laptops.
The laptops offered are categorized into three: the lower end, second level and third level. These come with a free maintenance service from the providers and a one year warrant. The offer is open to both students and staff.
Professor Barnabas Naawangwe who graced the launch said every Makerere student should be able to learn about computing and pledged to champion the cause further to senate.
Stanbic Bank’s representative, Sam Mwogeza said that the initiative is meant to aide students in their learning process.
“Our role here is how do we enable you in your learning journey.” He said.
Makerere’s 87th guild speaker Gatuya Muchyo said its quite shocking for a Makerere University student not to have a laptop adding that they have no excuse anymore not to have one.
The students appreciated and welcomed the development saying that its been quite burdensome for one to learn online without smartphones nor laptops.
“The initiative is so important. Many of us come from humble backgrounds. We have had lectures online, some of our colleagues have no smartphones. Its been a struggle, this initiative will help us,” Robert Sembaja, a student from the college of education and external studies revealed.
Stanbic Bank’s chief executive officer Anne Juuko said that they are not only stopping on laptops but shall continue to partner with the university. Anne told students to utilize all avenues noting that facebook was began at a university thus the students can do even better.
The initiative comes at a time when Makerere university is conducting blended learning with quite a number of students attaching their absence in lectures to lack of gadgets such as smartphones and laptops.
