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The dawn of a new era of Pharmacy training at Makerere 

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Magnificently perched on Cassia Hill Road, Makerere University, it catches your eye instantly with its 21st century modern architectural look.

Magnificently perched on Cassia Hill Road, Makerere University, it catches your eye instantly with its 21st century modern architectural look.

The Magnificent Pharmacy Building, Makerere UniversityHer Excellency the Ambassador of the Royal Danish Embassy Nathalia Feinberg on Tuesday 23rd November 2010 handed over this new Pharmacy Building to Makerere University. This additional infrastructure will enable Makerere increase the number of pharmacy graduates to 320, a dream come true for the department that has only been able to house 10 students annually.

This state of the art structure is also living evidence of the strong relationship between the Government of Uganda and the Government of Denmark and the great support the Government of Denmark has shared with the Uganda and Makerere University, contributing to the development in the Health Education Sector of this country.
Dr. Isaac Okullo-Dean, School of Health Sciences(L) conducts Mrs. Oteba Neville (2nd L) and Amb Nathalia Feinberg on a tour of the building
In 2005, the Government of Uganda obtained funding from DANIDA – Government of Denmark, under the funding framework of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Uganda Health Sector Programme Support Phase III. Part of the support, valued at DKK 15million (approx. 2.8million USD) was earmarked to support the Pharmaceutical Human Resource Management for the Health Sector. It is this support that has brought the Pharmacy building to life, as a foundation for improvement of the capacity to train pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the country.

Prof. Richard Adome Odoi, Department of PharmacyAfter a worthwhile tour of the breathtaking building, the founder and father of the Pharmacy Department, Head Prof. Richard Adome Odoi highlighted that this was a great accomplishment of what started as far back as 1988.
“Makerere University started the Pharmacy Department in 1988 after realizing that the Health cadres in pharmacy were very deficient in the country,” said Prof. Odoi.

In this country, there are currently 390 registered pharmacists and the ratio to population is 1: 82000. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a ratio of 1:2000. Prof. Odoi, in his remarks confidently highlighted that this building will go a long way in training more pharmacists so as to bring the current ratio closer to WHO standards.
Prof. Nelson Sewankambo, Principal College of Health Sciences
Prof. Nelson Sewankambo, the Principal, College of Health Sciences noted with enthusiasm that this was a stepping stone for the department of Pharmacy to grow into a school of its own. He further challenged the department to not only work closely with other academic programmes but also to extend its collaboration to the lower cadres of training so as to reach the farthest places of this country.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza not only thanked the Danish Ambassador for the Danish Government’s generous support. She assured Her Excellency that the infrastructure would boost the Department of Pharmacy further in increasing the Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza makes her remarks at the handoversupply of pharmaceutical Human Resource so as to support other universities such as Mbarara University and Kampala International University in Bushenyi, which have set up pharmacy departments, and Gulu University which is yet to set up a pharmacy department.

What is important and significant to note is that the pharmaceutical sector takes up over 45% of the Health Budget annually in Uganda. It is therefore not surprising at all that the Government of Uganda pays significant attention to these health cadres who are necessary to effectively manage the pharmaceutical sector.

Mrs. Oteba Neville, Ministry of Health representativeRepresenting the Minister of Health, Mrs. Oteba Neville confessed that Uganda faces a very low supply of the Human Resource in this sector. “With the establishment of this building, it is my hope that there will be an increase in the number of pharmacists trained in the country, which will play a significant role in increasing the established positions in government pharmaceutical health units by the Government of Uganda.” Mrs. Oteba said.

In a calm and sophisticated manner, the Danish Ambassador Nathalia Feinberg remarked that in as much as Uganda has made a great progress towards fulfilling most of the Millennium Development goals, there is still a challenge in maternal and infant mortality rates and many others.

H.E. Amb Nathalia Feinberg makes her remarks at the handover“Human resource development has been one of the core components of Denmark’s support to the health sector in Uganda for over two decades with the hope that this will go a long way in fulfilling the millennium development goals and the health sector,” highlighted the Ambassador H.E. Feinberg further noted that as long as there was a lack of pharmacists and technicians, the health sector goal of ensuring the availability of adequate essential medicines and health supplies required for delivery of national minimum health care package would not be met.

The Ambassador concluded by confessing that the Danish Government has been working hard to ensure that there are quality and affordable medicines in the Ugandan health sector. This has been done through strengthening the Uganda National Medical Stores’ capacity to procure, store and distribute medicines, alongside initiatives like the construction of the Pharmacy building, to ensure that there is more appropriate manpower to support these efforts.

MDD students entertain guests at the function“I hope we are going to see more pharmacists being trained now that this structure is in place.” Ambassador Feinberg remarked.

Downloads 

Ambassador Nathalia Feinberg's speech MS Word Version, PDF Version, Postscript Version

Minister of Health Remarks at Handover Ceremony MS Word Version, PDF Version, Postscript Version

VC Remarks at Handover ceremony MS Word Version, PDF Version, Postscript Version

 

 

 

mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office

Denis Wamala

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Re-advert: Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2025/2026

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The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under Self Sponsorship Scheme for the 2025/2026 Academic Year.

Each applicant should:

a) Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five passes, or its equivalent and at least two principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes, only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2024, 2023 and 2020 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level.

OR

d) Degree from a recognised /Chartered Institution

Further details on the re-advertised programmes , fees structure, and the procedure of submitting applications can be accessed from the document below: 

The closing date for submitting applications is Tuesday 22nd July 2025.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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Undergraduate Admissions List: Mop-up/Appeals 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:

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Makerere University, DFCU Bank Sign MoU to Advance Innovation, Student Leadership and Research

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Officials from Makerere University and DFCU Bank pose for a group photo at the Main Building Entrance after the MoU signing ceremony on 4th July 2025. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy

Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.

The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.

“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.

“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university.
“We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.

Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.

“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.

About MAK RUN 2025

The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.

The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.

The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University

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