On 5^th March 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, paid a courtesy visit to Stanbic Bank Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mumba Kalifungwa. The purpose of the visit was to explore areas for further collaboration with Stanbic Bank Uganda to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic investment.

The engagement reaffirmed the long-standing relationship between the two institutions and provided an opportunity to explore how academia and the financial sector can work together to unlock opportunities for students, staff, alumni, and the broader Ugandan community.

Discussions during the meeting focused on innovation and entrepreneurship support, student development programs, infrastructure partnerships, and investment opportunities linked to the University’s strategic development agenda.

Driving Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship

During the engagement, the Vice Chancellor highlighted Makerere’s continued efforts to position itself as a research-led and innovation-driven university, emphasising the importance of partnerships with industry in translating academic research and ideas into practical solutions.

He underscored the need to empower young people with the skills and support required to create enterprises and generate employment opportunities, given Uganda’s fast-growing population, particularly the mushrooming young population. According to UBOS, by 2024, the young population was approximately 22.8 million persons out of a total population of 45.9 million people. 

“If we do not support young people to innovate and create enterprises, we risk facing serious economic and social challenges. The employment of the future will increasingly be created by young people themselves,” he noted.

Among the proposals discussed was the possibility of establishing a Stanbic-supported innovation competition, aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship and providing a platform for students and young innovators to transform ideas into viable businesses.

Such an initiative could build on existing innovation and incubation programs run at Makerere and Stanbic Bank while strengthening collaboration between academia and the private sector in supporting enterprise development.

Expanding Strategic Collaboration

Speaking during the meeting, Mr Mumba Kalifungwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic Bank Uganda reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Makerere University.

He noted that while the bank has long provided financial services to the university and its staff, there is a significant opportunity to deepen collaboration in areas that generate broader societal impact.

“As an institution, we are interested in partnerships that go beyond financial services to create meaningful impact in society through the Stanbic Bank positive impact agenda. Education is one of the most important sectors through which we can drive that impact,” he noted.

The CEO also highlighted Stanbic Bank’s National Schools Championship program, which promotes innovation among secondary school students across Uganda, noting that a similar approach could potentially inspire initiatives at the university level.

Exploring Investment and Infrastructure Opportunities

The meeting also explored opportunities for collaboration in investment and commercialisation initiatives linked to university infrastructure and land assets.

University representatives shared insights into ongoing efforts to explore public–private partnership (PPP) models for strategic investments aimed at improving infrastructure and unlocking value from underutilised university assets.

Potential development opportunities discussed include projects related to hospitality facilities, commercial spaces, and other revenue-generating infrastructure within and around the university. Such initiatives could provide sustainable revenue streams for the university while creating opportunities for private sector participation in campus development.

Supporting Students, Staff, and Alumni

Additional discussions focused on expanding programs that benefit the wider Makerere community. These include financial literacy initiatives for students, expanded internship and graduate training opportunities, and collaborative programs to support student entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

The meeting also explored opportunities for collaboration in alumni engagement, leveraging Makerere’s extensive global alumni network to strengthen partnerships between the university and industry.

Programs aimed at improving financial preparedness and retirement planning for staff were also discussed, alongside potential housing and asset financing solutions tailored to the needs of university employees.

“Through this partnership, we are exploring opportunities that support the entire Makerere community, from financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs for students to internship pathways, alumni engagement, and financial preparedness initiatives for staff. These efforts will be anchored within the renewed collaboration framework between Makerere University and Stanbic Bank Uganda,” said Mr Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Advancement Officer.

The Chief Advancement Officer further noted that these initiatives are expected to be anchored within a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Makerere University and Stanbic Bank.

A Shared Vision for Impact

Both institutions expressed optimism about the potential of the partnership to contribute to national development by supporting innovation, enterprise creation, and the development of future leaders.

As Makerere University continues to strengthen its role as a leading research and innovation institution in Africa, partnerships with forward-looking institutions such as Stanbic Bank Uganda remain critical in advancing the university’s mission of generating knowledge, nurturing talent, and driving solutions that address national and global challenges.

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all intending applicants for Private and Government Sponsorship for the 2026/2027 Academic Year that the deadline has been extended from 27^th February, 2026 to Friday 13^th March, 2026.

Applicants who have already applied need not apply.

For any additional information, refer to Announcements and requirements for Diploma/Degree holders Entry Scheme for Undergraduate programmes for 2026/2027 Academic Year, click the links below.

Privately Sponsored: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2026/03/advert-admissions-for-diploma-degree-holders-under-private-sponsorship-2026-27/

Government Sponsored: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2026/03/call-for-applications-diploma-holders-under-government-sponsorship-2026-2027/

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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 2026/2027 Academic Year.

Each applicant should:

EITHER

Hold at least a Second Class/Credit (or equivalent classification) Diploma or otherwise as specified in the Diploma Holders’ requirements from a recognised chartered institution, relevant to the programme applied for. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding institutions and one passport size photograph must be submitted to Office 315 level three (3) Senate Building after applying online. 

OR

Be a Graduate from a RECOGNISED CHARTERED UNIVERSITY. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions and one Passport size photography MUST be submitted to Office 315, Level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.

N.B. Applicants will be responsible for verification of their academic documents from the awarding Institutions after admission.

 Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website. 

Diploma Holder applicants who hold class three (3) diploma certificates or Pass Diplomas are not eligible for admission and therefore should not apply, except where stated in the Diploma Holders requirements. 

HOW TO APPLY                                                    

Applications shall be submitted online using the ACMIS system for all applicants. Diploma/degree holders and internationals will have to submit certified copies of their transcripts and certificates and a passport size photograph to Office 315, Level 3, Senate Building after submitting the application online and payment of application fees.                          

Details of the Diplomas required for each programme are in the document attached below, the same list can be found here: https://mak.ac.ug/how-apply/diploma-holders-application-guide                          

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY WITH EFFECT FROM 5th JANUARY, 2026.  

A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE OF SHS.55,000/= FOR UGANDAN AND EAST AFRICAN APPLICANTS OR $76.5 OR EQUIVALENT FOR INTERNATIONALS, (UGX.286,250=) PLUS BANK CHARGEs SHOULD BE PAID IN ANY OF THE BANKS USED BY UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (URA)                                           

CANDIDATES WHO HOLD GRADES X, Y, Z, 7 AND 9 OF ‘O’LEVEL RESULTS SHOULD NOT APPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION.     

ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL USER GUIDE                                                

Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug

• Signup using full name, e-mail and Mobile Number.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.  If you changed your names please go to Senate Building Office 611 with a deed poll and gazette supporting the name change.                                       
• 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 displayed on the running scheme.
• Obtain a pay reference nunber(PRN)  after submitting the application.
• Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.                                        

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:                                                 

The closing date for receiving applications was extended to Friday 13^th March, 2026.