KAMPALA — China on Aug 8 offered scholarships to 30 needy students at Uganda’s largest university, Makerere University.

Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda said there is need to invest in human resource.

“There is urgent need for strategic investment in the Ugandan human resource to turn it into the much needed human capital to drive the planned growth and transformation,” Zheng said.

He said the “Chinese Ambassador Scholarship of Excellence and Friendship” will be awarded to Makerere University students annually.

Chrysestom Muyingo, minister of state for higher education, while officiating at the event held at the university, thanked China for the continued support to Uganda.

The students were selected from over 370 applicants from different colleges at the institution.

Euzobia Baine, acting director of Gender Mainstreaming Directorate at the University, said the scholarships will help students who are economically underprivileged but are outstanding academically and of good character.

Zheng said besides these inaugural scholarships, the Chinese government offers scholarships to over 500 Ugandan students to go and study in China.

He noted that 600 other government officials attend short courses in China.