By Ezaruku Draku Franklin

A total of 123 best performing students who completed their A Level in 2021 were on Friday commissioned to start internship programme under the Equity Foundation Leaders Programme. The scholars were selected from 43 districts where the bank has a branch, based on the 2020 senior six Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education results released by the Uganda National Examination Board.

The top performing students will spend the next three to six months in paid internship programme in different Equity Bank Uganda branches across the country where they will be mentored in worked environment and leadership skills before eventually joining different universities.

Officials from the bank say the launch of the Equity Leaders Program, a mentorship and leadership development program, plays a significant role in equipping the students with the necessary skills for future.

Mr Samuel Kirubi, the Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director who was the first scholar under the same programme in 1998 said the launch marks a new chapter for bright students in Uganda who excel at the highest level to gain work experience before they join universities for their academic pursuits.

“Standing here brings me great joy because many years ago in 1998, I was in the same position as our 123 scholars seated with us. What started out as a simple mentorship and leadership program has contributed significantly to my success today and to who I am. Equity Bank is excited to continue impacting lives and livelihoods by empowering the top performing boy and girl from every District by giving them an opportunity to discover their potential and explore this,” he said.

Mr. Kirubi said each intern will be posted to the Equity Bank in their district or city so that they do not incur costs for travel and accommodation.

“These scholars will get exposure to the corporate world even before joining university to pursue their higher education and dream careers. By taking part in the Paid Internship Program, they get exposure at a young age and will also learn multiple life skills including personal branding and presentation, saving and investment and how to navigate the corporate world. The stipend they earn will also play a significant role in uplifting their economic status and that of the communities around them and to us, this is why ELP is impactful,” he said.

Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said the interns should not take the programme for granted, but make sure they benefit from it. She said being the best student is not a guarantee of success, but a foundation for them to work harder to achieve what they want to achieve.

“You can be the top student but that will not guarantee your success. What will guarantee your success is what you will do from now, so use this opportunity to excel and be what you want to be in future,” she said.

She asked the interns to work hard to make sure they cause positive change in the country from now and beyond and that government will continue to support such initiatives.

“Let’s form a network of leaders who will change this country. In the next three to five years, I want you to make leadership mark in this country to ensure that this programme is not a waste. A programme that trains you early and puts you in work position is very important because tomorrow in whatever position you serve, it will help you,” she said.

“As Government, we are excited to see that a local corporate brand has ventured into empowering the youth by giving them an opportunity to experience the corporate world and rub shoulders with top-class executives who will not only positively influence them into leadership roles but who have also dedicated a significant amount of their time to train and guide them,” Amongi added.

Scholarship opportunities

The Equity Leaders Program will also offer the scholars an opportunity to apply for admission and full financial aid at global universities through admission into the College Counselling Program. The program runs for 3 months and is aimed at exposing them to the global universities’ admission process and how to manoeuvre through a new education system.

Equity Group Managing Director and CEO and Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr James Mwangi said Equity Group has recognized the importance of investing in human capital and will continue to run the programme across the region.

“With today’s launch, ELP now becomes operational in four of Equity Group’s subsidiaries including Kenya, Rwanda and DRC making it a regional program that will play an important role in integrating the East African region through the sharing of ideas and resources, building a network of young professionals, creating an alumni network of young and budding innovators who are likely to solve the region’s socio-economic challenges.” Dr Mwangi said.

What the recipients say about the programme.

Karungi Nora, Viva College:

“I have learnt from the programme it’s not having a fixed mind-set. It has taught me that you can transition in one way and do all that. You have to have a leadership mind-set. Generally, they taught me to be proactive and that change begins with you before you change the society.”

Remo Martin Jeremiah, Uganda Martyrs Secondary School, Namugongo:

“I am so happy to be party of this programme and I see myself as a big person be it in an architectural firm, be it in the army on in the bank. I believe I can achieve a lot from this programme because it is promising.”

Jacob Stephen Olule, Lira:

“It’s my pleasure to be here and I would like to thank the Equity Foundation for their investment in human resource because investment in human resource is the best any company or any individual who wants to be the best in the whole world can do.”

Kansime Unity, Kabale Brainstorm High School:

I am very happy and excited to be one of the recipients of Equity Leaders Programme. This programme has taught me a lot, I have gained confidence in every aspect of life. This programme has also helped me in financial literacy because I now know when I start earning, how I will plan my finances, how to spend, how to save and what to do with my savings.”