Group photo of the ELP scholars- 4th Cohort with Equity Bank’s Managing Director Mr. Gift Shoko in the middle of the team seated.
One hundred top Senior Six students from various districts across Uganda have been admitted into the prestigious Equity Leaders Program. The program admits top performing students in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education results released by the Uganda National Examination Board.
The 100 scholars who were selected based on the 2024 Senior Six UACE results are undergoing a one-week induction program at the African Bible University, in Lubowa and will proceed to join Equity Bank for three months paid internship program where each scholar will get a monthly stipend and will experience on-he-job training and mentorship within various departments.
Speaking to the scholars on Monday morning, Equity Bank Managing Director Gift Shoko called on the students to live with intention, urging them to discover their purpose and pursue it with passion and commitment.
“We are grooming leaders not just for Uganda, but for the global stage, so Africa has a voice at the table. Leadership is never made in simple ways: Don’t expect a simple journey- Leaders are not made through easy paths. They must rise like eagles.”
Beyond internships, the ELP offers college counselling for students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad. To date, over 125 students have secured placements in top global universities, with 13 currently studying at Harvard University- a testament to the program’s effectiveness and global reach.
For those pursuing higher education locally, Equity has established university chapters that act as hubs for leadership development, entrepreneurship training and peer mentorship. These chapters foster a strong sense of community and enable continued connection with the Equity ecosystem. Several local chapter alumni have been directly engaged in digital projects for the Bank, and 17 former ELP scholars are now full-time Equity Bank employees.
This year’s intake comes at a time when the impact of the ELP is visibly expanding. In February 2025, 29 arts’ students from the ELP 1st Corhot graduated, marking a key milestone for the program.
Equity Bank continues to champion equal opportunity, with scores among admitted scholars ranging from top distinctions to strong performances from students in underserved areas of Uganda. Through the ELP, the bank re-affirms its commitment to nurturing a generation of ethical, empowered and globally competitive leaders.
