Alokolum Major Seminary is an affiliated institution to Makerere University.
Undergraduate Programmes
The Seminary offers the same undergraduate programmes offered by Katigondo National Major Seminary
Bachelor of arts in Social and Philosophical studies
Introduction
The BA Social and Philosophical Studies is intended to benefit not only future priests but also those who do not get ordained but serve society in many other ways.
Alokolum Seminary
Alokolum Major Seminary is an affiliated institution to Makerere University.
Undergraduate Programmes
The Seminary offers the same undergraduate programmes offered by Katigondo National Major Seminary
Bachelor of arts in Social and Philosophical studies
Introduction
The BA Social and Philosophical Studies is intended to benefit not only future priests but also those who do not get ordained but serve society in many other ways.
The programme is extensive enough to equip the graduates with sufficient academic training and especially those skills for effective Leadership. It also prepares the graduates to serve competently in schools either as Chaplains and / or as teachers.
Objectives
The BA Social and Philosophical Studies programme aims at achieving the following General Objectives:
To stimulate students to think, speak and write methodically, critically, clearly and precisely.
To develop their Natural Philosophy.
To enable them to be good communicators.
To develop skills and the art of management.
To enhance the appreciation of various Religions and Values.
Admission Requirements
Direct Entry
A candidate should possess at least an “O” level Certificate or its equivalent.
Two Advanced level principal passes in Arts or Sciences.
Diploma Entry
Diploma Applicants should posses at least a Second Class Diploma in any discipline.
Mature Age Entry
Applicants must pass the mature age examinations.
Knowledge
This programme will offer students knowledge of:
The origin and destiny of humanity.
A deep understanding of themselves and others.
Basic forms of special organisation.
Forms of political organisations.
Norms and Values of Various ethical systems.
Historical and contemporary factors influencing African thinking.
Skills
The student will be able to:
Relate with others guided with ethical and psychological skills.
Develop a critical and balanced mind.
Run and operate basic computer programmes.
Effective in oral and written communication.
Plan and conduct Religious Service effectively.
Relate and have dialogue with people of various Religious persuasions.
Counsel effectively some different categories of people: students, street children, married couples, drug addicts, etc.
Attitude
At the end of the programme the student should have developed:
A positive and balanced attitude to all types of people.
A spirit of commitment to the service of others.
A mature balanced personality.
Katigondo Seminary
Katigondo National Major Seminary is affiliated to the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts, Makerere University Undergraduate Programme
Bachelor of Arts in Social and Philosophical Studies
Introduction
This programme has been offered at Katigondo National Major Seminary since 1998/99 academic year. Katigondo National Major Seminary primarily trains future priests but it is also evident that many seminarians do not become priests.
The BA Social and Philosophical Studies is intended to benefit not only future priests but also those who do not get ordained but serve society in many other ways.
The programme is extensive enough to equip the graduates with sufficient academic training and especially those skills for effective Leadership. It also prepares the graduates to serve competently in schools either as Chaplains and / or as teachers.
Objectives
The BA Social and Philosophical Studies programme aims at achieving the following General Objectives:
To stimulate students to think, speak and write methodically, critically, clearly and precisely.
To develop their Natural Philosophy.
To enable them to be good communicators.
To develop skills and the art of management.
To enhance the appreciation of various Religions and Values.
Admission Requirements
Direct Entry
i) A candidate should possess at least an “O” level Certificate or its equivalent.
ii) Two Advanced level principal passes in Arts or Sciences.
Diploma Entry
Diploma Applicants should posses at least a Second Class Diploma in any discipline. Mature Age Entry
Applicants must pass the mature age examinations.
Knowledge
This programme will offer students knowledge of:
The origin and destiny of humanity.
A deep understanding of themselves and others.
Basic forms of special organisation.
Forms of political organisations.
Norms and Values of Various ethical systems.
Historical and contemporary factors influencing African thinking.
Skills
The student will be able to:
Relate with others guided with ethical and psychological skills.
Develop a critical and balanced mind.
Run and operate basic computer programmes.
Effective in oral and written communication.
Plan and conduct Religious Service effectively.
Relate and have dialogue with people of various Religious persuasions.
Counsel effectively some different categories of people: students, street children, married couples, drug addicts, etc.
Attitude
At the end of the programme the student should have developed:
A positive and balanced attitude to all types of people.
A spirit of commitment to the service of others.
A mature balanced personality
Programme Structure
The duration of the Course shall extend over three academic years leading to the award of the Degree of Bachelor of Arts. A student shall take all the first year core courses from Philosophy, Humanities and Religious disciplines. In the 2nd year he/she will take 3 core courses and 6 electives per Semester while in the 3rd year he/she will take 3 core and 6 electives in the first semester and 4 core courses and 5 electives in the Second Semester. Courses for 2nd and 3rd year shall be selected from Philosophy, Humanities and Religious studies respectively.
Ggaba Seminary
St.Mary’s National Major Seminary Ggaba, henceforth to be referred to as National Seminary Ggaba, hasbeen an Affiliated Institution of Makerere University since 1989, offering a Bachelor of Divinity of Makerere University to qualifying candidates. In 1997, however, a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Philosophical Studies of Makerere University was approved for Katigondo National Major Seminary and Alokolum National Seminary which have since been affiliated to Makerere University. This has necessitated a reworking of the programmes in National Seminary Ggaba, which receives its candidates that will already have done the Bachelor of Arts from Katigondo and Alokolum that will already have done the Bachelor of Arts.
Master of Arts in Religious and Theological Studies
The M.A (Religious and Theological Studies) programme is based on the felt need for the development of research capability of students who study Theology and Religious Studies in Uganda. Religion touches matters of ultimate concern in our daily lives and our future. The Ugandan society, however, is experiencing certain changes in education, social development and communication. The Pastor will therefore have to play a relevant role in such a society. He will also need skills of research and ecumenism so as to offer a way out of some situations of division, poverty and ignorance.
Furthermore not all the finalists of National Seminary Ggaba look after rural Parishes. Some are called upon to teach in institutions of higher learning or to occupy administrative posts. The MA in Religious and Theological Studies programme aims, therefore, at offering advanced training for those who will be called to teach and administer schools and other institutions. This should contribute to improving the country’s human resource base in education and development.
The principle is that students should be given more and not less. An MA would offer more than the Bachelor of Divinity degree formerly offered.
Objectives of the Programme
The general objective is to train competent human resource in religion and administration to manage the challenges of a fast changing society.
The programmes are also intended to enable the student acquire the skills of research which should make him inclined to approach his work and mission in a methodological way.
In a strategic move to enhance academic leadership and institutional efficiency, Makerere University conducted a comprehensive capacity-building and retooling workshop for all Heads of Department (HoDs) on August 5, 2025. The workshop, held at the Senate Conference Hall, brought together HoDs from various academic units to deepen their understanding of university academic policies, graduate training guidelines, and intellectual property management.
The training was organized under the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs. The session aimed at aligning departmental leadership with the University’s strategic goals, policies, and operational frameworks, particularly in relation to graduate education and research governance.
Opening the workshop, Prof. Buyinza Bukadasi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), underscored the importance of strong departmental leadership in driving the University’s vision:
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi makes his remarks.
“The Head of Department is not merely an administrator; they are the academic engine of their unit. By equipping our HoDs with up-to-date policy knowledge, research management skills, and leadership tools, we are investing in the core structures that sustain academic excellence and innovation at Makerere.”
Emphasis on Graduate Policy and Structured PhD Training
Dr. Julius Kikooma, Director of the Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT), led an engaging presentation on the Makerere University Graduate Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures. His session unpacked critical updates in the revised 2024 Graduate Handbook, including:
Removal of provisional admission for PhD by Research.
A structured PhD framework requiring a minimum of three years and 40 credit units.
Strengthened supervision standards and doctoral mentorship structures.
Cohort-based admissions to improve program coherence and tracking.
Integration of cross-cutting courses such as Scholarly Writing, Advanced Research Methods, and Teaching Assistantship into PhD training.
The new framework, supported by the Research Information Management System (RIMS), enhances monitoring of student progress and ensures timely completion of graduate programs. Dr. Kikooma emphasized the importance of departmental roles in guiding and supporting students, noting that departments serve as the primary disciplinary homes for graduate students and are key in fostering research cultures.
A section of HoDs listens to the DVCAA make his address.
Understanding and Applying Intellectual Property Policies
The session also featured a detailed presentation on the Makerere University Intellectual Property Management Policy (2008, as amended), delivered by Counsel Esther Kabinga, Ag. Manager of the Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO). Participants were guided through the obligations and rights related to IP created by staff, students, and visitors.
The presentation highlighted:
Ownership structures for IP generated at the University.
Procedures for disclosing, protecting, and commercializing IP.
Roles of departments in supporting creators and liaising with IPMO.
Revenue-sharing mechanisms and the inclusion of IP outputs in staff promotion criteria.
Counsel Kabinga encouraged HoDs to promote awareness of IP rights and responsibilities within their units, especially given the increasing volume of research outputs and innovations emerging from the University.
Strategic Alignment with the University’s Research Agenda
The workshop is part of broader efforts to implement the Makerere University Research Agenda 2025/26 – 2029/30, which prioritizes talent development, research visibility, and knowledge transfer. According to Dr. Robert Wamala, Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP), strengthening administrative and academic capacity at departmental level is critical for sustaining Makerere’s status as a leading research institution.
Dr. Robert Wamala makes his presentation.
The Research Agenda also supports the operationalization of structures like the IP Management Committee and GAMSU (Grants Administration and Support Unit), both of which are instrumental in streamlining research support services.
The training reaffirmed Makerere University‘s commitment to continuous professional development and the strategic empowerment of academic leaders. With a renewed understanding of policies and tools, Heads of Department are now better equipped to foster academic excellence, supervise graduate research, and steward innovation at the departmental level.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission lists for candidates for those whose appeals have been successful for the 2025/26 Academic Year.
Kindly follow the links below to access the lists respectively:-
Makerere University, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Uganda, has launched two transformative facilities, a Daycare and Breastfeeding Centre at the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), and a state-of-the-art Multimedia Studio at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility. These facilities mark a major milestone in the University’s commitment to gender equality, student and staff welfare, and digital innovation in higher education.
A Milestone for Gender Equality: Daycare and Breastfeeding Centre
Mr. Ian King, the Ag. Resident Representative, UNDP Uganda, speaking at launch of the Daycare and Breastfeeding Centre emphasized the importance of the Gender Equality Seal (GES) initiative, funded by the European Union (EU). He applauded the Institute for being the first in Africa to participate in the GES.
Mr. King highlighted the role of the facility to mothers and some fathers in ensuring children’s safety and peace of mind for parents. He further commended the Institute for demonstrating what can be achieved through the programme. He stressed the importance of setting high standards for child care centres and making spaces safe for young parents. The Daycare centre is intended to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and relief for mothers and fathers to focus on their work and studies.
A view of the general play and lounge area of the Daycare Centre.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor, noted that the centre will be crucial in supporting breastfeeding mothers—particularly students and staff—to continue their academic and professional pursuits. Recalling a time when women were barely represented in the University Senate, he acknowledged the significant strides Makerere has made, while also noting ongoing gaps in graduate gender equity.
“The majority of graduates are women, but there are still issues of equity at the graduate level. I think there are still issues that we must solve, and one of them is helping mothers who are students and members of staff to continue with what they do, even when they have got babies to look after because that’s one of the reasons, I think, why many students drop out just because they become mothers,” he added.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe holds a baby as he makes his remarks at the Daycare facility.
He acknowledged that the facility will come in handy for addressing challenges, including balancing motherhood with academic or professional responsibilities. He extended appreciation to UNDP for their long-standing partnership in transforming Makerere into a more inclusive and modern academic institution.
The Head of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), Prof. Sarah Ssali, in her remarks, thanked the Vice Chancellor who catered for the Daycare Centre while designing the building. Prof. Ssali highlighted that the Daycare describes Makerere University‘s history and its commitment to gender equality and inclusion. She highlighted that the University has over 20 gender policies and interventions—with some directly impacting gender equality and others improving the work ecosystem—for example, digitization, quality assurance programmes and scholarship programmes. “But this is the first that directly addresses the needs of both students and staff—mothers and fathers alike—through a shared space for child care,” she said.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (Right) welcomes officials to the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
Ms. Donna Keirungi, a mother and alumna of the University, shared her personal journey on how challenging it is to balance both studying and childcare. She highlighted that the Daycare Centre aims to make the various policies on gender equality and women’s empowerment practical, and to support the University’s commitment to Gender Equality. The Centre aims to fulfil the University’s Strategic Plan 2020–2030’s emphasis on creating an enabling environment and work-life balance.
“The journey to establish the centre began in 2022 with support from the UNDP, including benchmarking at a well-established Daycare Centre in Parliament. The centre is open to children aged zero to five years, including those of students and staff members,” she highlighted.
Ms. Donna Keirungi leads officials on a tour of the Daycare Centre.
The Daycare Centre is unique in that it benefits all members of the University community, including single fathers and students.
H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James, the 91st Guild President, thanked UNDP and the organising committee for their efforts in making the facility a reality, describing it as a testament to the University’s commitment to gender equity, student welfare, and removing barriers for parenting students. He highlighted the importance of peace of mind for students, especially mothers, and how the facility will help them balance their roles.
Advancing Digital Transformation: New Multimedia Studio Launched
In a separate but equally impactful launch at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Mr. Ian King described the studio as a strategic milestone in the University’s vision to modernise higher education and foster flexible learning. Mr. King noted that Uganda has made significant progress in digital inclusion with over 13 million internet users. He emphasized that the facility aims to address gaps in digital skills access—with only 3% of the population currently benefiting—and promote digital inclusion in line with the pillars of the Digital Economy Scorecard.
Mr. Ian King makes his remarks prior to launching the Multimedia Studio.
He also expressed confidence that the next Digital Economy Scorecard will show improved figures due to the efforts of Makerere and other universities. The digital studio will provide a dedicated space equipped with modern infrastructure to facilitate equitable access to digital skills development. He encouraged full utilization of the studio to maximise its impact on teaching, learning and skills development. He further thanked the Makerere University Management and development partners for their financial contributions that enabled the studio’s realization.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the UNDP for their long-time support, especially with facilities like the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod). He thanked the UNDP for contributing to the modernisation of the University. The Vice Chancellor pledged to use the facility to build capacity across all disciplines and provide knowledge to a wider audience online.
Left to Right: Prof. Sarah Ssali, Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Mr. Ian King, H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Ms. Annet Mpabalungi Wakabi in the Multimedia Studio.
He noted that Africa’s enrolment in higher education is the lowest in the world despite having the fastest-growing population, emphasizing the importance of providing high-quality education to as many people as possible, both on-campus and online. “I’m happy that this facility looks even more diverse than ones I have seen,” he said, expressing his gratitude to UNDP. The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the impact of the UNDP’s support towards unleashing talent and fostering innovation among students. “So by bringing the UniPod, you helped us unlock so much talent, and these students can now come up with the innovations which can be commercialised and create jobs for our fast-growing populations,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, the Director, Makerere University Institute of Open Distance and e-Learning (IODel), said that the studio brings a significant leap in content production for e-learning. He expressed gratitude to UNDP for providing the necessary equipment to compete with world-class universities. He highlighted that e-learning courses are now incorporating multimedia elements like video and sound, moving on from the text-based model.
Officials pose for a group photo shortly after the launch of the Multimedia Studio.
He further mentioned the preference of the younger generation for visual and interactive content, making multimedia content essential for effective teaching and learning. Prof. Muyinda explained how the new multimedia studio will allow for more authentic and context-specific e-learning content, enhancing student engagement. He emphasized that the University is focusing on four key areas: training staff on studio usage, AI literacy, online facilitation, and teaching learners how to use e-learning technology. He underscored the importance of continuous innovation and adaptation in e-learning to keep up with global standards.
Dr. Godfrey Mayende revealed that all science units can also be taught in this Multimedia Studio. He said that the studio provides the naturalness of a class setting as it gives space for students to physically sit in the studio room as the lecturer is teaching or recording a lecture.
Dr. Godfrey Mayende observes as Mr. Ian King tests the Multimedia Studio’s provisions that support teaching of subjects that necessitate writing of formulae and other hand-drawn illustrations.
The two facilities; Daycare Centre and Multimedia Studio, are the latest in a series of initiatives borne out of the strong partnership between Makerere University and the United Nations Development Programme, including the previously launched Mak UniPod and Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions. The abovementioned developments offer clear demonstration that Makerere University and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have a strong partnership focused on fostering innovation and development in Uganda and beyond.