Equity bank Uganda has commissioned more than 100 scholars for its fourth cohort under the Equity Leaders Program (ELP).
While giving his remarks at the ceremony last week, Gift Shoko, the managing director of Equity Bank, stated that through the Equity Leaders Program, the bank is giving young minds valuable exposure to the corporate world and nurturing their potential to contribute to socio-economic transformation of the country and beyond.
“This program equips scholars with critical thinking, business acumen, leadership, and life skills, transforming both individuals and communities,” he said.
Shoko highlighted the unique opportunity for scholars to engage with world-class executives, gaining mentorship from leaders dedicated to shaping the next generation of change-makers.
Founded in 1998, the program aims to students with leadership skills, mentorship, and professional networks. Currently, the Equity Leaders Program runs in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and DR Congo and over the years, 29,515 scholars have been impacted.
As part of the program, scholars undergo a three-to-six months paid internship with Equity bank, receiving a monthly stipend and gaining hands-on experience across various departments.
Post-internship, mentorship and coaching continue throughout their university education to ensure a holistic development experience. Additionally, the students also benefit from a comprehensive three-month long college counselling program in which they receive expert guidance on essay writing, university selection and language exam preparation.
Samson Bwaya, the Equity Group Foundation board director, commended the scholars for completing the induction and implored them to live a life of service, selflessness and seek to impact communities.
“Today’s commissioning ceremony marks a moment of pride not only for our scholars but for Equity bank and the Equity Group Foundation’s vision of empowering young leaders to create meaningful change within their communities,” he said.
He stated that the program continues to demonstrate remarkable impact, significantly contributing to youth employability and leadership across the region.
“As Equity Group Foundation, we remain committed to nurturing talent, bridging opportunity gaps and creating pathways for excellence in education and leadership.”
In January 2025, about 29 of the 122 scholars from the maiden cohort graduated in various disciplines, with some now fully employed by the bank, while others are pursuing careers in other fields.