A total of 100 outstanding students have gathered at African Bible University in Lubowa for a week-long induction and leadership bootcamp under the Equity Leaders Program (ELP), a flagship initiative by Equity Bank aimed at nurturing the next generation of African leaders.
Now in its third year in Uganda, the program selects the top-performing boy and girl from each district with an Equity Bank branch, based on their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results. These scholars, chosen for their academic excellence and leadership potential, will undergo intensive training from May 4 to May 10, 2025.
The induction marks the beginning of a transformative journey that combines leadership development, mentorship, and global academic exposure. Throughout the bootcamp, students are being equipped with essential soft skills, a mindset shift from dependency to innovation, and principles of ethical leadership.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director Gift Shoko urged the scholars to live purposefully and pursue their goals with clarity and determination. He explained the bank’s values—integrity, professionalism, creativity, teamwork, and respect for customers—as the foundation for responsible leadership.
“This program is about raising leaders for Uganda, Africa, and the world,” Shoko said. “True leaders are forged through challenge—they must rise like eagles.”
Following the bootcamp, scholars will undertake a three- to six-month paid internship at Equity Bank branches, gaining hands-on experience, mentorship, and a monthly stipend. They will also participate in a three-month College Counselling Program, preparing them to apply for full scholarships at top global universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford.
Beyond Uganda, the Equity Leaders Program promotes regional integration by connecting scholars from Kenya, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, building a pan-African network of young change-makers.
Launched in Kenya in 1998, the ELP has empowered thousands of students across East and Central Africa, with alumni now studying or working at leading institutions worldwide.
