President addresses Ugandan students in India .

President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Government of Uganda will carry out a study to work out an insurance scheme through which it can contribute to health problems of students abroad.

The President who was addressing some of Ugandan students in India at the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi was responding to the students’ complaints that many Ugandan students cannot pay for treatment.

He said that what government can do is to contribute to an insurance scheme.
President Museveni promised to contact the Indian Prime Minister seeking his intervention in the visa problems.

The students told the President that India gives visas at a three months basis. This, they said should be changed to at least 2 years or should cover the whole of the 3 years’ course.

“This is a good idea. I will contact the Prime Minister for intervention on this matter”, he said. Mr. Museveni agreed with the students that the government should appoint an education attaché at the Ugandan High Commission in New Delhi.

However, the students said that such a person should be an old student in the country who understands student problems.

The students complained that part of their courses require internship but this cannot be done in India because the companies they are sent to by Indian Universities demand temporary work permits which the students do not have.

President promised to handle the matter with the Indian authorities. The students also demanded that that government scholarships be made public.

Mr. Museveni explained that the massive scholarships that government gives Ugandans is UPE. He said that the other scholarships are given to students with targeted courses.

“I also give scholarships to the orphans of the former fighters but these are very few”, he said.
President Museveni appealed to the students to return to Uganda at the completion of their courses.

He supported the Indian government which arrests those students who refuse to return to Uganda.
“I entirely agree with the Indian government. Why don’t you want to come back?’ he asked.
He assured students that Uganda is a very good country and those with education should return to Uganda because it is easy to start their own businesses.

“The only problem is that you only want white collar jobs, otherwise you can start your own businesses”, Mr. Museveni assured the students.

The President concurred with the students that government should make contribution to their studies. However, he noted that this should be directed to science courses.

He warned them against immorality while in India and to avoid HIV/AIDS.

“Concentrate on your studies and you complete and get married”, he implored.

END.