General
Makerere Marshall Plan attracts Top Investors
A number of local and international firms from China, Korea and Uganda have expressed interest in developing Makerere University’s land following a call put out by the University through the media in January 2014. The land, found in different parts of the University estate namely: Main Campus, Katalemwa, Makindye, Bwaise and Kololo, will be developed under the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangement, in what has been code named the ‘Makerere University Infrastructure Development Marshall Plan’ covering 11 projects which include;
1. Makerere University Teaching Hospital
2. Makerere University Student Resource Centre
3. Student Hostels at the Main Campus and Kabanyolo
4. Makerere University Hotel and Convention Centre
5. Makerere University Centre for Innovation and Technology Incubation
6. Makerere University perimeter fence and Commercial Buildings
7. Transport Hub
8. Middle Income Apartments
9. Upper Market Apartments
10. Makerere University Centre for Gender and Development Studies
11: Makerere University School of Law
An artistic impression of the proposed Hotel and Convention Centre as part of the Infrastructure Marshall Plan 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda
Top Management speaks out
Commenting about the developments, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu said, “We are very serious about Public Private Partnerships because they are the best way to advance these projects. One of our major resources is land and we shall fully utilize it for all the projects. We would like to start with the perimeter wall, Students’ Centre, and the Hotel as a priority but this will also depend on the interests of the investors.”
“When completed, these projects will save money. We spend a lot on conferences and residences for external examiners, which money can be saved if we have facilities for such activities. About 1billion shillings goes to external examiners annually and another 600m to conferences. We intend to have shopping malls around the perimeter wall to generate more income too,” added the Vice Chancellor.
A Committee, headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVCFA), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has been set up to see to the successful implementation of the projects. Other members on the Committee include the University Secretary, David Kahundha Muhwezi; the Director, Planning and Development Department (PDD), Dr. Florence Nakayiwa; Assoc. Prof. Anthony Keraali of the College of Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT); the Director Estates and Works Department , Eng. Fred Nuwagaba and a Legal Advisor. Overall guidance for the project will be given by the University Council.
“These developments will protect the land and diversify the University’s income base. The projects will also avail more lecture space for students,” explained DVCFA Prof. Nawangwe.
According to the Director PDD, Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, “Twelve firms have so far responded to the call. These firms are comprised of both building companies and transaction advisors. We are glad that the market is receptive to this call. We have now asked them to undertake feasibility studies of the different projects and report back by September 2014. We are optimistic that ground works will begin as soon as we have all the appropriate processes in place.”
An artistic impression of the proposed Students’ Resource Centre as part of the Infrastructure Marshall Plan 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda
The place of the Master Plan
In April 2014, Makerere University rolled out a University Infrastructure Master plan and sought input from stakeholders. This plan covers the Main campus, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK). “The Marshall Plan is a smaller component of the Master plan. In the Master plan, aspects like zoning, age of buildings, utility distribution, traffic flow and future use of available space are considered; whereas the Marshall plan is only focusing on key building projects as derived from the Master Plan,” clarified Dr. Nakayiwa.
Please see Downloads below for a brief of each proposed project.
By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
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Makerere Infrastructure Master plan rolls out
On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed another cohort of 258 recipients of the prestigious Mastercard Foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year with pomp and fanfare. The colourful Scholarship Award Ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection sub-committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.
“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your discipline, integrity, and vision,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
A Call for Responsible Living
The Vice Chancellor further urged the new recruits to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that will support future networks.
“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in University life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised.
Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue supporting all the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives at Makerere University.
Leadership starts with self
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program globally and the Country Director for Uganda, urged Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Scholars Program is fundamentally a leadership development program.
“The Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.
Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the Management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.
Selection Process Highlights
On his part, the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for Undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Scholars who had made it through a very competitive and watertight selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.
“We received 3,664 Applications for the Scholarship; 2,904 Undergraduates and 760 master’s students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 Undergraduates and 280 Master’s students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the Scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.
Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was always very small. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the tedious selection process.
“For the Undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 Master’s applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 Master’s students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.
Celebrating A Diverse Cohort
The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements made in the years gone by.
“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Scholars—bringing us to the mark of 546 Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Scholars under Phase II of the Program. To date, a total of 1,596 Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.
Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity created by the Scholars Program, highlighting the arrival of international students from across the African continent at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“For Cohort 9 Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity in the Program. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1 Scholar), Malawi (1 Scholar), Ghana (1 Scholar), D.R. Congo (13 Scholars), Cameroon (7 Scholars), Burundi (3 Scholars), Rwanda (10 Scholars), South Sudan (40 Scholars) and Tanzania (1 Scholar).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.
Scholars Speak Out
Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the scholarship, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.
“On behalf of my fellow scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious university and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.
Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow scholars, committed to using the scholarship opportunity to gain knowledge and skills he will use to benefit himself and his community.
The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of joyous celebration.
Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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