By Musa MbogoIn a bold move to shape Uganda’s future innovators, Airtel Africa Foundation has launched a landmark initiative aimed at expanding opportunities for disadvantaged youth seeking careers in technology.The Airtel Africa Foundation Tech Fellowship, unveiled on Tuesday in Kampala, will fully sponsor 20 high-performing undergraduates from low-income backgrounds to pursue STEM degrees in leading universities across the country.Rather than simply offering financial aid, the new fellowship positions itself as a strategic investment in Uganda’s digital ecosystem.By supporting students enrolling in programs such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, and other ICT-related courses, Airtel Africa Foundation seeks to cultivate a strong pipeline of tech talent capable of transforming the country’s innovation landscape.Airtel Uganda CEO and Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, emphasized that the fellowship is a targeted response to Uganda’s widening digital skills gap.“Uganda is home to many bright and ambitious young people who are eager to make their mark in technology fields. Recognising this, Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Uganda, will award 20 exceptionally talented students with fellowships to pursue their tech degrees without the financial burden. For these fellows, it is a chance to grow into the next generation of tech leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” he said.Sahu further noted that the initiative reinforces Airtel Africa Foundation’s commitment to its FEED Pillars, of Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion, and supports the country’s long-term digital agenda.“Supporting education in technology fields is a deliberate shift by Airtel Uganda to bridge the digital gap and it aligns with the Government’s Digital Vision 2040. By investing in the students, we are developing a pipeline of digital gurus who can accelerate the achievement of this vision,” Sahu concluded.To streamline recruitment, Airtel Africa Foundation has partnered with Q-Sourcing Servetech, which has set up a dedicated online application portal to ensure a transparent and efficient selection process.The inaugural fellowship cohort will cover students admitted to Makerere University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Kyambogo University.The package includes full tuition, accommodation, academic materials, and a living stipend to support beneficiaries throughout their studies. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).