8:51am UK, Friday July 29, 2005

Ugandan girls who can prove they are virgins are set to be rewarded with university scholarships.

Sulaiman Madada, a member of parliament from Uganda's Kayunga district, said that successful scholarship applicants would have to submit to a gynaecological exam to demonstrate their chastity.

"Our area has high incidences of early marriages and defilement," he said.

"I believe this bursary will make a difference. The criterion is that a student is virgin and from Kayunga district."

Mr Madada said the scheme aimed to promote morality, would encourage responsible living and help in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

"We shall tell our children about risks they face if involved in early and unprotected sex," he said.

Between eight and 15 girls from Kayunga district, which has a population of some 300,000, attend university each year, he added.

Kayunga has one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in Uganda and more than 80% of families living in the district say they have lost at least one member to the disease.

The idea to pay university fees for virgin girls, which can run up to 900,000 Ugandan shillings (£295) per term, follows a similar scheme run by Mr Madada which covers the costs of further educations for bright but needy pupils of both sexes in his district.