Clarke International University (CIU), a values-based institution with the mission to “Lead, Innovate, transform”, has announced a monumental initiative to uplift the Boda-boda community by formally awarding the Dr. Ian Clarke Scholarship Awards to 100 deserving students.
In partnership with the Union Boda Co-operative Uganda Limited, the university has dedicated UGX 78 million to provide a 50% tuition waiver to beneficiaries, directly investing in the future leaders and entrepreneurs within this essential sector of Uganda’s economy.
The Power of Business and Technology Education The scholarships are strategically focused on programs within CIU’s School of Business and Applied Technology (SOBAT).
This focus is designed to equip students—who are active riders, union employees, or their dependents—with the high-demand, practical business and technology skills necessary to transition the Boda-boda industry from a purely informal transport service into a professionally managed, high-value enterprise. The programs covered include; Business Leadership: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BAF), and Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics (BPL); Applied Technology: Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) and Bachelor of Applied Computing Technology (BACT), crucial for modernizing logistics, payment systems, and data management; Service Excellence: Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management (BTHEM).
‘’ This is a Commitment to Sustainable Community Development . The Boda-boda community is the pulse of our urban and rural economies. By providing access to high-quality education in business and technology, we are not just awarding scholarships; we are equipping 100 innovators to manage their finances better, adopt digital solutions, and create sustainable, diversified wealth for their families and communities’’, said officials.
The partnership launch was officiated by the chairman of the University Council Bishop Zac Niringiye , Dr. Ian Clarke, the founder of the university, Dr Rose Clarke Nanyonga, the vice chancellor of Clarke International University and Dr. Milka Singh.
Boda- Boda Union leadership hailed this partnership as an initiative which aligns with CIU’s deep-rooted commitment to fostering community development through education, empowering these students to achieve their academic goals and contribute meaningfully to society.
The scholarships require applicants to meet CIU’s standard academic admission criteria for their chosen program and must be validated by a formal written recommendation letter from the Bodaboda Union Uganda. This ensures that the awards reach those who are actively connected to and supported by the Union.
‘’CIU is proud to partner with the Union Boda Co-operative Uganda Limited and looks forward to welcoming the first cohort of Boda-boda scholars to the University’’, said the University officials.
The BodaBoda Riders Cooperative Union is a national organization formed to represent and support boda-boda riders. It aims to improve the lives of riders by addressing issues like exploitation from loan schemes, facilitating access to resources, and promoting safety and financial literacy.
