The Rotary Club of Kampala City Makerere (RCMAK), launched a ‘Tree Planting Campaign’ around Makerere University on the 24th November 2012. The campaign, to be rolled out in phases, will see seventy trees planted in the initial phase. The club first matched with a band around Makerere University, to raise more awareness before trees were planted, along University Road starting with the Makerere main gate round about. The campaign was launched by Eng. Dominic Kavutse, a Commissioner in the Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment. “I am pleased that this rotary club has taken up tree planting to combat the effects of environmental degradation. I encourage you to sustain this project. Growing trees is like looking after a child, it keeps you hopeful all the time. Research shows that people involved in forestry live longer, because they always look forward to seeing the trees grow amidst planting new ones. Makerere University can become a centre of excellence on the environment, because you have the advantage of being in the middle of the city, and you have access to a lot of research,” he said. He advised the Rotary Club of Kampala City Makerere to develop a road map for this long term project, and encouraged the Makerere Community to get involved in the initiative. The President of RCMAK, Narcis Rwangoga, explained that this initiative is timely. “It is easy to be deceived by the trees we see around the university and forget that many of them have aged and sometimes fall down by themselves. But as the old trees go, it is critical that they are replaced by new ones.
By planting trees, we hope to inspire the student community in Makerere to plant trees wherever they will go after here. Rotary believes in serving the community, starting with the immediate community,” he said. RCMAK also plan to roll out a massive cleanup in and around Makerere University, including areas like Katanga and Kikoni in the near future. This Rotary Club fellowship is held every Friday between 6:00pm – 7:00pm, at the Makerere University Senior Staff Canteen.
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Prof. Sarah Ssali.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Prof. Mary Okwakol (Left) and Dr. Vincent Ssembatya listen to feedback from leaders.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
Prof. Mary Okwakol.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
Part of the audience that attended the validation meeting.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
Kampala, Uganda – 20th January 2026 – Makerere University has postponed its opening date for Semester Two of Academic Year 2025/2026 from the earlier communicated 24th January 2026 to 10th February 2026.
This adjustment is in response to the Ministry of Education and Sports directive to all Schools and Education Institutions to postpone re-opening until 10th February 2026. Consequently, Semester Two at Makerere University will now run from 10th February 2026 until 6th June 2026. Attached is the detailed Calendar for Semester Two 2025/2026.
Confirmed dates for the 76th Graduation Ceremony
Makerere University also wishes to inform the general public that Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony will be held from Tuesday 24th February 2026 to Friday 27th February 2026.
Specifics including the graduation schedules and standard operating procedures for participants will be communicated officially in due course.
Please see downloads for the statement, Ministry directive and revised calendar.
The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African (Non-Egyptian) students who wish to obtain their M.Sc. degree in the programs of Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Basic and Applied Science (BAS), Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), Faculty of International Business and Humanities (FIBH) and Heritage Science (HS).
Please note that interested applicants have to apply through E-JUST’ website (online application system). Applications will only be accepted via E-JUST’s website (online application system).
Interested applicants must complete and submit their application forms before February 15, 2026. The applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail as proof of successful submission of the application.