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Makerere Hospital now Reference Centre of Excellence for SMC

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It is a bright sunny afternoon on Tuesday, 11th December 2012 at the Makerere University Hospital and a few hours away from the official launch of the Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) services by the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Scott DeLisi. Under a semi-permanent structure at the back of the facility, a few young men and adult males are gathered and listening intently to a facilitator as she briefs them about SMC and post-surgery care. At the end of her delivery, she invites questions and is met with silence. The looks on their faces are a mixture of emotions, while the younger lot seems to still be digesting what they just heard; the older ones seem to be in awe of her boldness and candid delivery.

This is the first stage of the SMC service conducted under a newly constructed iron-roof structure, recently erected to cater for the increased demand for SMC in the Makerere community. Prior to this, the handful of participants had to make use of a tent, as the service was yet to be fully embraced by the community. However, thanks to the social marketing strategy model, where the circumcised shared their experience and referred their colleagues to the University Hospital, the numbers have swelled to over 60 surgical operations a day!

All this has been made possible thanks to the Makerere University HospitalMakerere University Joint AIDS Programme (MJAP) partnership, funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), with technical support from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PEPFAR has directly supported over 450,000 circumcisions since April 2010 and increased investment in SMC in Uganda from over $1.6 million in 2009 to over $31 million in 2012.

In his address, the U.S. Ambassador graciously accepted the thanks from Makerere University, MJAP, Ministry of Health, Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) but strongly rallied stakeholders to each play their part in the fight against the spread of HIV. “Success in saving lives depends upon all of us—ambassadors, government ministers, health care workers, students, young and old alike—playing our part and sharing in the responsibility we each shoulder,” said Ambassador DeLisi. “As President Museveni has correctly said, circumcision does not make us metal.  Nor does it mean we can be sexually irresponsible with no worries about the consequences,” he added.

Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe, The Dean of Students who represented Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) at the occasion commended the U.S. Government for helping Makerere achieve a multi-pronged approach in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He further noted that thanks to this support, the University Hospital had etched its mark on the SMC service delivery in Uganda. “The program has also trained and built 15 high performance circumcision teams that are able to circumcise over 20 clients per day per team,” he said.  “These teams have spread out all over the country, a feat that has transformed the hospital into a reference centre of excellence for SMC,” added Mr. Kabagambe.

Following the launch of SMC services at the University Hospital, patients are now able to get linked to other services at this facility, or at the MJAP-supported treatment site at Mulago Hospital, and elsewhere, based on their preference.

Please see attachments for full speeches

 

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Makerere University Joint AIDS Programme and University Hospital in Joint Safe Male Circumcision Service Delivery

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Press Statement on Ranking

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An older photo of the Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda as seen from across the Freedom Square. Date taken: 22nd October 2012.

Makerere University has noted with concern the article titled “Mak Drops Marks” published by the Daily Monitor Newspaper on 8th July 2025. The article raises issues that require clarification to ensure accurate information is shared with our stakeholders and the public. We wish to address the following key points: 

1. Misrepresentation of Ranking Data 

The article inaccurately combines the Sub-Saharan African University Rankings and the World University Rankings to portray a misleading performance trend for Makerere University. For clarity, Makerere University was ranked 8th in the 2024 Sub-Saharan African University Rankings. However, the 2025 Sub-Saharan African Rankings have not yet been released, making any comparison with the World University Rankings is misleading. This is a misrepresentation of facts aimed at tarnishing the University’s reputation and causing alarm among stakeholders.

2. Omission of Impact Rankings Achievements 

The article fails to acknowledge Makerere University’s outstanding performance in the 2025 Impact Rankings, which assess contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Makerere University significantly improved its global standing, moving from the 601–800 band in 2024 to the 301–400 band in 2025. Notably, the University ranked 17th globally in Decent Work and Economic Growth and within the 401–600 band for Quality Education. These achievements reflect Makerere’s commitment to societal impact and sustainable development, which the article conspicuously ignores. 

3. Balanced Perspective on World University Rankings 

While Makerere University acknowledges a decline in certain parameters in the World University Rankings, we view these as areas for improvement. At the same time, we celebrate our strengths, including high-quality research output and a robust international outlook, which continue to position Makerere as a leading institution globally. 

Makerere University remains committed to excellence in teaching, research, and societal impact. We urge our stakeholders and the public to rely on verified information from credible sources and to engage directly with the University for clarity on such matters. We acknowledge the Daily Monitor’s interest in Makerere University and implore them to report more accurately in the future. 

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE
Email: pro@mak.ac.ug

Mak Editor

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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

Mak Editor

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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:

Mak Editor

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