General

Counselling and Guidance Services

Published

14 years ago

February 8, 2011

The Counselling and Guidance Centre is here to help you address personal or emotional challenges that may affect you while studying or working in Makerere University. The Counselling and Guidance Centre works closely with all university units to enable students realize their academic and personal potential and to assist staff in addressing psychological issues that may affect them in living worthy and productive lives. The service is offered by professionally trained and experienced counselling psychologists. Counselling is free and confidential.

Location
The Makerere University Counselling and Guidance centre (CGC) is currently located at the University Hospital occupying offices 22,23,24,25 the lower part of the hospital premises. (The location is to change soon to plot 106 Mary Stuart Road opposite Mary Stuart Hall).

Brief History
The Counselling and Guidance services were started on a voluntally basis in the mid 1970’s where some staff decided to come out and offer free services to students. In 1987, the service was officially set up within the university but it was until January 2005, when the centre obtained formal council recognition as an autonomous unit during the 100th meeting of the University Council held on 15th December and 19th January 2005. The centre currently has three staff members and in the process of recruiting more five.

Mandate
The Counselling and Guidance centre is mandated to provide quality counselling and guidance services to the Makerere University community i.e students and staff and their families. The centre is also charged with the responsibility of overseeing the counselling and guidance services within the university. The centre is also mandated to carry out research on issues affecting peoples’ lives particularly those in the university community or prospective students (where need be).

Vision
To have wholesome members of Makerere University community

Mission
To provide professional counselling and guidance services to students and staff so as to achieve personal and educational goal.

Services
The centre provides services to enhance academic success and further educational goals for Makerere University students. The Counselling and Guidance Centre provides several services these include:

Individual Counselling
Career Guidance and Counselling
Academic support services
Group Counselling
Organising outreaches to halls of residence and hostels
Organising seminars and workshops for students and staff
Self-help print and online materials
Staff services

Staff also need support from the Counselling and Guidance Centre. Their issues and services may be different from those of students but may equally affect their productivity at the University. The centre staff is also available to consult with administrative offices, faculty and staff about issues affecting staff and student welfare and development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Counselling?
Counselling has diverse definitions but there are common elements in all definitions. Counselling is concerned with using psychological principles to enhance and promote the positive growth, well-being, mental health of individuals, families, groups and broader community. Counselling is generally done with well adjusted people and therefore it is meant to foster or improve the normal functioning of an individual by helping one solve problems, make decisions and cope with stresses of everyday life. It looks at helping the individual accomplish life tasks, and facilitate personal development. It enhances human potential and quality of life across the lifespan. It uses remedial, preventive and educational/developmental interventions while addressing emotional, cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal difficulties.

How do I know I need counselling?
Questions, choices, concerns and changes are all a normal part of life. Sometimes we can work through them on our own or with the help of friends and family. Sometimes, they can feel too private, overwhelming or complicated to share with someone we know. The people who provide us support can also be part of what’s bothering you. When this is case, talking to a professional can provide a safe, neutral, confidential setting to explore your concerns and move toward making changes to improve your situation.

Is counselling confidential?
University Counseling Center records are confidential and not part of or connected in any way to your academic records. There are, however, some exceptions to confidentiality. Counselors are required by law to release certain information in situations that involve harm to yourself or others, in instances of child or elder abuse, or as a result of a court order.

What are some of the reasons students and staff seek counselling?

Concerns about relationships
Problems with school or studying
Work relations
Work/home related stress
Questions about your future
Adjusting to university life and being away from home
Wanting to improve your family relationships
Wanting to be more assertive or improve your self-confidence
Consuming alcohol or other drugs more than you’d like
Difficulty balancing all the demands of student life
Thinking about ending your life
Grieving over the death of someone close to you
Difficulty taking care of your normal ‘day to day’ life
Concerned about someone close to you
Recovering from unwanted sexual contact or violence
Carrying a secret that you’ve never told anyone, but wish you could

etc
It is also okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to address, we can help you figure that out as well.

How do I know I need individual or group counselling?
When you speak with a counselor during your initial assessment, the counselor will discuss with you the different services available and his/her recommendations given your particular situation.

What are the qualifications of the Counselling and Guidance STAFF?
Our staff includes Counselling psychologists and counsellors. We also refer clients for medical and psychiatric services in case it is needed.

Is there charge for services?
There is no charge for these services. All services are entirely free of charge.

Do I need to make an appointment?
No. During the working hours there will always be somebody to offer you service. However, in case you need an appointment with a particular staff you will be free to make

Opening times 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Counselling and Guidance Centre (CGC) Staff

Currently the centre has 3 full time professional staff and two support staff. We are soon getting more psychologists. Their details may be viewed by clicking the link below

Back to the Counselling and Guidance Centre

Vision
To have wholesome members of Makerere University community

Mission
To provide professional counselling and guidance services to students and staff so as to achieve personal and educational goal.

Individual Counselling
Career Guidance and Counselling
Academic support services
Group Counselling
Organising outreaches to halls of residence and hostels
Organising seminars and workshops for students and staff
Self-help print and online materials
Staff services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Concerns about relationships
Problems with school or studying
Work relations
Work/home related stress
Questions about your future
Adjusting to university life and being away from home
Wanting to improve your family relationships
Wanting to be more assertive or improve your self-confidence
Consuming alcohol or other drugs more than you’d like
Difficulty balancing all the demands of student life
Thinking about ending your life
Grieving over the death of someone close to you
Difficulty taking care of your normal ‘day to day’ life
Concerned about someone close to you
Recovering from unwanted sexual contact or violence
Carrying a secret that you’ve never told anyone, but wish you could

etc
It is also okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to address, we can help you figure that out as well.

Is there charge for services?
There is no charge for these services. All services are entirely free of charge.

Opening times 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Counselling and Guidance Centre (CGC) Staff

Currently the centre has 3 full time professional staff and two support staff. We are soon getting more psychologists. Their details may be viewed by clicking the link below

Back to the Counselling and Guidance Centre

General

Applications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2025/26 AY

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2025

Mak Editor

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2025/2026 Academic Year for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.

Each applicant should:

Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) 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 2022 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.

Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Wednesday 16^th April 2025.

A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.

Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Level results should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.

Advert-Mak-PRIVATE-Undergraduate-ADMISSION-2025-2026 Download

How to submit your application

Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug/
Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.
The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.
Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:

Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel
Select option 3-Admission
Select option 3-Pay Fees
Enter reference number obtained from Application portal
Details of Application form will be confirmed
Enter PIN to confirm payment

The closing date for receiving applications to undergraduate programmes shall be Tuesday 20^th May 2025.

WARNING:

Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission. The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office. Those who buy them do so at their own risk.
The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.
Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

General

Embrace the Safeguarding Policy- Makerere Jinja Campus Students urged

Published

4 days ago

April 15, 2025

Carol Kasujja Adii

Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.

The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.

Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.

“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.

Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, the Director Makerere University Jinja Campus. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa. — ***Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, the Director Makerere University Jinja Campus.***

In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.

Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.

On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.

The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.

Mr. Emmanuel Muchake addressing guests. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa. — ***Mr. Emmanuel Muchake addressing guests.***

Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.

The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.

The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.

“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.

Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Left) and Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Right) during the sensitization. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Left) and Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Right) during the sensitization.***

The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.

Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.

Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.

“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.

The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.

The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.