#KIU31STGRAD: How the KIU Bursary Empowered Linda Fortunate Masinde

By Eunice Nangobi

Linda Fortunate Masinde, pursuing a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health, is among the many students who have benefited from Kampala International University’s (KIU) bursary scheme, acknowledging that it helped alleviate her financial distress, enabling her to focus on her academics.  

“I was thrilled to receive the bursary. It helped alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with pursuing my diploma. This support allowed me to focus on my studies and achieve my academic goals.” She said.

KIU’s bursary scheme has been instrumental in addressing financial barriers to higher education for many people in the country, addressing a key concern of university dropouts.

It is estimated that nearly 30% of all students in Uganda who join university education on various degree programmes, drop out. According to a survey carried out by Jessica N. Aguti et al., approximately 83.7% of student dropouts are attributed to poor family background.

Masinde, being one of the lucky people to benefit from the bursary scheme and one of the students anxiously awaiting graduation at KIU’s 31st graduation ceremony, says she is privileged to have had a chance to learn from the leading private university in Uganda.

Additionally, she believes that her time at the university has been transformative both personally and professionally.

“I have developed valuable skills, attainable adequate medical knowledge, which enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of my field, and I made lifelong connections and friendships in this wonderful institution,” Masinde says.

Away from books, Linda Fortunate took part in various activities that made her stay at the institution a memorable experience.

“I was involved in various activities under the Allied Week, leaning into sports and the Inter faculty tournament in 2023. In both, I was the head of the sports committee where we formed the first Allied team, and we managed to win biomedicals in the finals.” She said.

After graduation, Masinde plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery and continue practicing the skills she has acquired to serve the community.

She concluded by extending her sincere gratitude to the university community for providing a safe, supportive, inclusive, and competitive environment.

“I am grateful for the experiences and knowledge I gained here, as it's enabling me to help and treat the community around me and actualize my dream career.” She concluded.