The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is one of several development finance institutions in South and Southern Africa. Its purpose is to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development by funding physical, social and economic infrastructure. Through its Development Fund (DBSA DF) , the institution’s vision is to be a leading catalyst in institutional capacity building in order to maximise the impact of development finance in South Africa.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is one of several development finance institutions in South and Southern Africa. Its purpose is to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development by funding physical, social and economic infrastructure. Through its Development Fund (DBSA DF) , the institution’s vision is to be a leading catalyst in institutional capacity building in order to maximise the impact of development finance in South Africa.The DBSA DF through the Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa (IDC) received financing to build institutional and human capacity at local government level, and help to create opportunities for local economic development. In a bid to go beyond South Africa and spread this model to the rest of Africa, the Fund identified three Universities; Makerere University Kampala, The International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) , Burkina Faso and the Vitz University, Johannesburg South Africa to help implement this.
It was against this background DBSA DF team led by the Chairperson of the Board; Prof. Brian Figaji paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor on Monday 15th March 2010, to discuss matters relating to a Memorandum of Understanding between Makerere University and DBSA DF. Also constituting the team was Dr. Paul Kiyingi Kibuuka, Divisional Executive; Siyenza Manje, DBSA and Reuben Mottola, Executive; Pan-African Capacity building Partnership.
The Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs, Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, who met the team on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor thanked Prof. Figaji and the DBSA DF for identifying Makerere to serve as a center of excellence for the delivery of the Executive Masters Programme in Water, Sanitation and Environmental Management. She appreciated how well the DBSA DF initiative fits in with past and present programs offered by Makerere to build capacity at Local Government levels. “Owing to the Central role that Makerere has previously played in building Capacity, having the university as a strategic partner would therefore ensure that a broad range of partners would be invited at various stages of implementation of the programme.”
Prof. Brian Figaji, a former Vice Chancellor himself at the Peninsula Technikon in Cape Town shared how the team had carefully set out to develop a model that would enable African Universities to participate at the core of any collaborations with universities outside Africa. This he added would help to build sustainable human, institutional and Economic capacities, relevant to local needs. The model, which proposes uniform course modules and teaching staff exchanges across the three participating universities, hopes to leave behind a legacy of professionals spanning across the African continent. This network of professionals it’s predicted; will be key in sharing experiences to furnish solutions to African development challenges.
Prof. Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza commended the dawn of this partnership, as for a long time, there have been more of North-South collaborations than South-South ones.
The Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on Tuesday 29th April 2025 met with a delegation whose vision is to transform Uganda into East Africa’s premier digital skills hub through equipping 200,000 youth and professionals with digital and cybersecurity skills by 2027. The ambitious programme is a strategic collaboration between Deborah’s Impact Projects Africa-Uganda (DIPA-U), Africa World Train Center (AWTC) and the Office of the First Lady of Uganda (OFLU), with Ugandan Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as partners.
The delegation included; Ms. Elinor Wanyama Chemonges-Head DIPA-U, Ms. Betty Byanyima-Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)/DIPA-U, and Ms. Beat Bisangwa-OFLU. In attendance were Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Dr. Rodney Rugyema-Deputy Dean of Students, Mr. Awel Uwihanganye-Head Advancement and other officials.
The presentation by the delegation noted that the proposed programme creates a dual benefit of addressing digital opportunities and creating sustainable employment in high-growth digital sectors. The programme will begin with foundational IT and cybersecurity training before branching off into specialized career tracks in technical cybersecurity, compliance, IT Helpdesk, tech sales and marketing.
The training will be implemented in three phases commencing in May 2025 with IT fundamentals before delving into specialized career tracks and industry certifications in December 2025, and thereafter, workplace integration, business partnerships and freelancing skills in the third phase slated to commence in 2026. 20,000 participants are anticipated to be trained during the first phase, while the second and third phases envision training 80,000 and 100,000 participants respectively, bringing the total to 200,000.
Ms. Elinor Wanyama Chemonges (Left) presents on behalf of the delegation.
The Uganda Digital Pathways Initiative was officially launched by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni on 22nd March 2025, where the first student, Miss Precious Keza pre-registered for the initiative. The event held at the Freedom Square, Makerere University was part of the Mantle of Deborah National Conference, an apostolic and prophetic movement aimed at equipping women for leadership, purpose and national transformation.
In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza welcomed and thanked the delegation for choosing Makerere University as partner for the initiative, adding “Our business is training; anything to do with digital skills improvement is welcome and we are excited and committed to transform the mindset of our graduates so as to make them more marketable.”
He further lauded the delegation for including the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) in the deliberations, noting that Makerere is always appreciative of inroads made in linking industry with academia for skills enhancement of graduates.
Contributing to the discussion, Prof. Tonny Oyana reassured the delegation that CoCIS is will be happy to co-create and co-design curricula with the initiative, which he opined can be offered as a short course. “We look forward to designing an experience that gives measurable outcomes.”
Furthermore, Dr. Rodney Rugyema underlined the Office of the Dean of Students willingness to mobilise students to pre-register for the initiative. He nevertheless requested the delegation to share more information on what will inform enrolment for the specialized career tracks so as to enable participants envision how their skills will contribute to the greater goal of transforming Uganda into East Africa’s premier digital skills.
Today’s meeting will be followed by a virtual meeting with the Africa World Train Center (AWTC) to further thresh out finer details on curricula and implementation.
The closing date was extended from 30th April 2025 to Friday, 30th May, 2025.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications for admission to Graduate Programmes (Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctoral Degree Programmes) for the 2024/2025 Academic Year. Applicants should have obtained at least a first or second class degree (or its equivalent) from a Chartered University at the time of completion. Applicants should also possess a Uganda Certificate of Education (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (or its equivalent).
Sponsorship:
All Graduate Programmes are PRIVATELY-SPONSORED. Therefore applicants seeking sponsorship should have their applications endorsed by their respective sponsors where applicable. Applicants should note that the various fees payable to the University indicated for the various programmes EXCLUDE functional fees, accommodation, books, research and other expenses.
PhD Degrees by Research Only:
All Colleges offer PhD degrees by Research. Applicants for PhD by research should have a Master’s degree in a field relevant to their area of fmther studies and should have obtained at least a first or second class degree (or its equivalent) from a Chartered University at the time of completion. Applicants for the PhDs by Research will be required to submit on-line applications and also submit four copies of the concept note in Office No. 410, Level 4, Senate Building.
Sign up using full name, e-mail and Mobile No. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your suppmting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
A password will be sent to both your e-mail and mobile number.
The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
To fill a form (all form sections must be filled) the applicant clicks on the APPLY NOW button (for first time applicants) or MY PORTAL button (for renewal of application) displayed on the appropriate scheme i.e. Taught PhDs, Masters & Postgrad Diplomas OR PhD by Research.
All academic transcripts/certificates and passport photos should be scanned and uploaded on the system.
Obtain a payment Reference No. by clicking on “Pay for Form” button
Make payments at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority. Application fee is UGX 50,000 (East African applicants) or UGX 151,500 (International Applicants). For International applicants, application fees can be transferred either by EFT or any other means in UGX to a designated URA collection account in Bank of Uganda as follows:
Account Name: UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY COLLECTIONS Account No: 003410158000002 Swift Code: UGBAUGKAU Bank Name: BANK OF UGANDA Bank Address: KAMPALA, UGANDA Currency: UGANDA SHILLINGS
The closing date was extended to Friday, 30th May, 2025.
All Applicants for Master of Laws (LLM) will do a Graduate Admission Test (GAT) consisting of an oral Interview and written test on dates and other requirements to be conm1Unicated by the School.
All Applicants for Master of Business Administration (College of Business and Management Sciences and Makerere University Business School) will do a GMAT test on dates to be communicated by College of Business and Management Sciences and Makerere University Business School respectively.
In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants for Master of Public Infrastructure Management (MPIM) must have “Proven professional experience of at least 2 years at managerial/supervisory level or policy-decision making position in a government, parastatal organ, international organisation or non-governmental organisation” Applicants should attach a 2- page short CV and referee recommendations.
Further details of tuition fees and the available programmes open for admission can be accessed from the document below:
A delegation from the University of Zululand in South Africa, led by Professor Byron A. Brown, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Engagement and Transformation, is visiting Makerere University on a two-day benchmarking mission focused on Africanising education and strengthening research collaboration.
During their visit, the delegation held discussions with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe; the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi; the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Professor Winston Tumps Ireeta; Professor Sarah Ssali, the Director of the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity and the Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr. Robert Wamala.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe receives a traditional Zulu spear and shield from the University of Zululand.
The discussions explored opportunities for integrating African perspectives and knowledge systems into university curricula, enhancing research networks across the continent, and fostering partnerships that empower African institutions to contribute meaningfully to global scholarship. Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to the decolonisation of education and the promotion of African-led research initiatives.
In a symbolic and heartfelt gesture, the University of Zululand delegation presented a traditional Zulu spear and shield to Professor Nawangwe. The gift was accompanied by a message of solidarity and encouragement—to equip him in the ongoing struggle for the decolonisation of the curriculum at African universities. Professor Brown explained that the spear and shield represent the resilience, courage, and determination needed to reclaim African narratives in education.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe presents a Mak Souvenir Book to Professor Byron A. Brown as other officials witness.
Receiving the gift, Professor Nawangwe expressed his deep gratitude and reiterated Makerere University‘s commitment to championing African-centered scholarship and knowledge production. He noted that true transformation of African education must involve redefining curricula to reflect the continent’s histories, values, and aspirations. In return, he presented to Prof. Brown a book with the history of Makerere University.
The two-day mission is expected to pave the way for stronger collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Zululand, including joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and shared initiatives aimed at promoting Africanisation in higher education.