To contribute to Africa's sustainable development, Tullow Oil made a generous Grant to The Council for Frontiers of Knowledge (The CFK) to support students to pursue Masters Courses at Makerere University. The Scholarships were awarded to qualifying Ugandan Students to read for a two year Masters Course that commenced in the fourth quarter of 2011 at Makerere University in Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Environment and Natural Resources.
Specifically, the following activities were carried out using Tullow Oil’s generous funding: two year educational fees paid to zero balance, monthly stipends (two years), laptops and accessories, Tullow-CFK wireless internet (serving whole CEDAT Old Building), World-class Reference Library (CFK CEDAT Old Building Offices), ENVI Technology Software and Hardware (at CFK Office, serving Makerere University and beyond), higher degrees presentation room and high technology facilities, full funding to Tullow-CFK Session at the November 2012 CFK International Conference at Commonwealth Speke Resort and Conference Centre, Munyonyo in Uganda, sponsored students to present their research work at national and international conferences, offered international training and equipping to Makerere University students with very specialised software and technology packages including: SEISAN Earthquake Analysis Software, CRISIS2007 and ENVI software in Dublin, Ireland. Please note that acquisition of SEISAN Software is available on The CFK website, while ENVI technology is installed at The CFK Offices, at West Wing, CEDAT Old Building, Makerere University.
International trips to Dublin, Ireland: June 2012 and May 2013: Tullow sponsored students were funded from A-Z by Tullow Oil. The Dublin trips provided a valuable discussion venue for students with their Tullow mentors along with their Makerere University academic advisors. Tullow-CFK Sponsored Students clearly benefited by discussing their specific research projects, identifying objectives, and discussing limitations. Students also saw first-hand how the different sectors of the industry have to partner in order to achieve a successful commercial outcome. Similarly, they and their academic advisors from Makerere University learned more about the technical and logistic details of the challenges faced by Tullow Oil in the Albertine Graben. Prof. Chris Bean and Prof. Stephen Daly from University College Dublin also visited the group and met with the Makerere Professors and students. Ideas were spontaneously exchanged from both sides, and this definitely strengthened the overall education of the students as well as enhancing connectivity levels of Makerere Scientists. In a bid to fill up very wide technology gaps, with full funding from Tullow Oil, Tullow Oil-CFK Masters funded students were trained in January 2013, in Dublin, Ireland at the Tullow Oil Dublin Office by Prof. Lars Ottem'oller; one of the developers of the SEISAN seismic analysis software. To access the Software, please visit: http://thecfkglobal.org/seisan-software.php
Tullow Oil’s two year funding/partnership with The Council for the Frontiers of Knowledge (The CFK), made it possible for ALL the FIVE Tullow Masters supported scholars graduating, with distinctions from Makerere University, Uganda.
The students were robustly selected and the results of the stringent selection process of The CFK Scholarship Committee, international science and technology mentorship by the relevant CFK Directors and Tullow Dublin technologists, and of course, the SUPERIOR programme coordination with the standardised transparency and integrity by The CFK, were plainly evident in the exceptionally excellent performance both in coursework and research. All the five students had their CGPA’s far above 4.0, with two of the five obtaining the MAXIMUM CGPA of 5.0!!
The Tullow Oil-CFK and Makerere Partnership achieved two cardinal roles:
Development of local content at postgraduate level: Tullow Oil’s partnership with The CFK has reinforced the institutional capacity of Makerere University and beyond to supervise highly specialised research projects to an international standard.
In-country growth of oil and gas industry: The five Masters candidates are now fully equipped with exceptional skills needed for developing the oil and gas industry of Uganda and beyond.
The scholars all added another VITAL achievement to their list by graduating in less than the two-year stipulated time-frame, as NO MSc student has managed this in the Makerere University’s 90 year history! Specifically, before the end of the two years, ALL the five students had completed their postgraduate studies (concept definition and construction, field work, data collection and analysis, internal and external theses examination, dissertation public defence etc.) and been cleared for graduation!
The five Tullow Oil sponsored scholars, Bwambale Barnabas, Robert Tumwesige and Prossy Atolere all MSc. Civil Engineering, John Mugisa, MSc. Chemistry, Christine Ainabyona, MSc. Environment and Natural Resources, graduated (Tuesday 28th and 30th January, 2014) at a ceremony which was presided over by Makerere’s Chancellor Professor George Mondo Kagonyera. The event was also attended by His Excellency Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Ugandan Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Community, Cabinet Ministers, and of course family and friends of the graduates. Makerere’s Vice Chancellor Professor Ddumba-Ssentamu took the opportunity to thank Tullow Oil, saying the Tullow-CFK project contributed to the much-needed development of local content and in-country growth within the industry. The Vice Chancellor further encouraged other relevant stakeholders and programme managers, in the 64th graduation audience, to emulate the Tullow-CFK Model/Initiative so to enable Africa make tangible and lasting socio-economic growth and development.
Professor Fionn Murtagh, Chair of the CFK Board, and Professor Pankaj Vadgama, Deputy Chair, attested that “The standard achieved by the five students was fully on par with the very best of Masters outcomes that would be expected in any Irish or UK university”. Professor Murtagh added, "The great performance of the students, throughout their Masters work and in what they have accomplished, is testimony to their excellence. This is a great achievement also for their Makerere University supervisors. On behalf of The CFK Board, I would like to point to The CFK/Tullow Oil model that underpins this great success".
Makerere University Tuition and Functional Fees Waiver is a Scholarship Scheme that was initiated by Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and was approved by the Makerere University Council in December 2010. The Scheme supports bright female students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to access education at Makerere University. The University waives off tuition and functional fees for the duration of the study of the beneficiaries of the scheme. With effect from 2021/2022 academic year, the Scheme has offered waiver of tuition and functional fees for 40 female students joining the University who meet the criteria. All Programmes in the Colleges at Makerere University Main Campus and at Makerere University Jinja Campus are eligible for this Scholarship support. These scholarships are administered by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Makerere University. Persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
ELIGIBILITY
Scholarship applicants should meet the following criteria:
Should be female of Ugandan Nationality
Should be a first-year student admitted at Makerere University Main Campus and Jinja Campus for the academic year 2025/2026 under the Direct Entry Scheme.
Should be from a genuinely disadvantaged socio-economic background.
Those not admitted on Uganda Government sponsorship to any public university.
Those who do not hold any other scholarship e.g. District Scholarship
Must be willing to participate in a selection process as shall be determined by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate Scholarship Committee.
THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM SUBMITTED SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETE ONCE IT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENTS;
Copies of ‘O’ and ‘A’ level academic documents.
One Passport size photograph.
A Copy of the applicant’s birth certificate.
Incase of deceased parent (s), a copy of death certificate(s)
A hand drawn physical map of an applicant’s home/residence with clear directions of how to get to that home or residence from the nearest main road (indicate approximate distances in kilometres).
The scholarship covers only tuition and functional fees. The applicant must be able to pay for their feeding, accommodation and other learning necessities required by the University for the duration of the study period.
Interested and eligible applicants can pick application forms free of charge from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Senate Building, Level 4, Room 402 OR download a copy from the Makerere University Website: https://mak.ac.ug/
You can also access more information on our X handle @MakerereGMD
For more information or inquiries, please contact us using the following contacts:
Office Mobile Numbers: +256702960616 / +256781866728 Email Address: director.gendermainstreaming@mak.ac.ug
The Application deadline is Monday, 8th August 2025 at 5:00pm.
Centre for Language and Communication Services (CLCS), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) Makerere University in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) invite applications for Korean Language Classes for students and members of the public.
Courses by Level
Beginner
Elementary
Intermediate
Online
TOPIK
Instructor: Wongo Yoon wongoyoon@gmail.com
Registration is open, you can register to join the class at any time.
Registration:
To register, call the Centre for Language and Communication Services (CLCS): +256 756 12 8046 / +256 775 424704
Fee: UGX 80,000 a semester
For more information Whatsapp: +256 790 505658 (Yoon) / +256 757 710511 (Mariam)
See downloads for Class Timetable
The Korean Corner is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Library at Makerere University.
Makerere University has officially unveiled NCBA Bank Uganda as the platinum sponsor for the 2025 Makerere University Marathon (#MakRun2025), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable student support. The partnership was formally announced during a colourful event held at the university, attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund, and NCBA Bank Uganda CEO, Mr. Mark Muyobo.
NCBA Bank Uganda’s UGX 1.45 billion sponsorship over the next five years is the largest corporate contribution to the Makerere Marathon to date. It underscores the bank’s commitment to supporting quality education, community development, and equity. Mr. Muyobo said that, “We are driven by the desire to leave every community better than we found it”. He added that the goal is to empower disadvantaged students to live without limitations, describing this initiative as a bold stride toward establishing a world-class international marathon.
Left to Right: Mr. Mark Muyobo, Dr. Maggie Kigozi and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe pose for a photo at the Main Building entrance.
“This is more than just a sponsorship, it is a strategic partnership built on shared values,” Dr. Kigozi remarked. “With this support, we are positioned to establish a fully equipped Disability Support Unit and a sustainable pool of funds to assist economically disadvantaged students.”
The marathon, slated under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future,” seeks to unify students, alumni, corporate entities, and professional athletes in pursuit of a common cause. At its core, the MakRun2025 promotes active lifestyles, social inclusion, and a sense of communal responsibility.
“It’s not just a race,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized. “It is a movement to break barriers, change lives, and build a resilient, inclusive university.”
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe poses with the #MakRun2025 photo frame.
The marathon’s broader impact includes fundraising for students living with disabilities and those facing financial hardship, contributing directly to the university’s Endowment Fund.
A major highlight of the event is the introduction of a full 42.2-kilometer marathon—bringing international standards to the annual run. Organizers have promised a professional, accredited experience with traffic-free routes and ample support for runners.
“This edition will elevate the MakRun into a world-class event,” said Mr. Muyobo. “We are proud to support Makerere University in realizing its dream of a globally recognized marathon that reflects Uganda’s commitment to education and inclusivity.”
Beyond the race itself, the event will feature a vibrant line-up of activities, including music, drama, and games for all age groups. It is designed to foster a festival-like atmosphere that welcomes every member of the community.
Officials pose with runners in the Freedom Square.
Organizers and university leaders have extended an open invitation to students, staff, alumni, corporate partners, and Kampala residents to participate, cheer, or donate to the cause.
“Every step taken is a step towards hope for a student,” Dr. Kigozi stated. “Together, we are building a Makerere that cares, includes, and uplifts.”
The partnership is expected to significantly enhance the university’s ability to support underprivileged students and improve campus infrastructure for students with disabilities. It also sets the tone for future collaborations that align with the values of compassion, excellence, and innovation. The fifth edition of the MakRun is scheduled to take place on August 17th, 2025.