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Makerere University Leading innovations in the Higher Education Solutions Network

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12 years ago

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Faculty, Prof Lynn Atuyambe-School of Public Health (front) flanked by the Makerere University DVC- Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in the Innovation Marketplace at TechCon2014

This year, the second annual technical convening TechCon2014, held from November 8th-10th, 2014 in the Bay Area, California, showcased more than 40 innovations emerging from USAID’s Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) Development Labs and partners. TechCon2014 was proudly hosted by the University of California, Berkeley in the United States of America.  TechCon2014 offered a variety of both group and one on one discussions, networking opportunities, conference sessions, and talks by leading voices in development. Additionally, TechCon2014 uniquely convened researchers, students, entrepreneurs, innovators, field practitioners and private/public sector professionals focused on creative approaches to solution ideation, testing, and scaling for international development.

Eight university-based labs comprising USAID’s HESN participated in this technical convening. These included the following;

  • University of California, Berkeley’s Development Impact Lab
  • Duke University’s Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator
  • MIT’s International Development Innovation Network
  • MIT’s Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation
  • College of William and Mary’s AidData Center for Development Policy
  • Texas A&M University’s Conflict and Development
  • Michigan State University’s Global Center for Food Systems Innovation
  • Makerere University’s ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), based in UgandaThe Winners bright smile

The climax of TechCon2014 was an Innovation Marketplace to showcase innovations. Eight teams of innovators from Makerere University’s ResilientAfrica Network (RAN)  including Cost effective and efficient phototherapy units, ‘Dduka’ Landslide Early Warning System, The Asthma Grid, Grain Amaranth: from Vegetable to Health Solution, Hydroponic Fodder Production for Livestock, K-Free: Early Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Unearthing the potential of earthworm domestication and the Ethio-Manual Oxygen Backup device (EMOBD) participated in the technical convening Innovation Marketplace. This was concluded with one young innovator being crowned the top winner through a Shark Tank style competition.

In the Innovation Marketplace, each participant received $1000 Development Dollars that was to be used to vote for one’s favorite project or projects. It was entirely up to the participant to decide on how best to use these Development Dollars to support the ideas and projects in the Innovation Marketplace; you could invest all the dollars in one project, split your money between ten projects or invest at levels somewhere in between. The Development Dollars were later counted and the top nine teams in which Makerere University’s Hydroponic Fodder Production for Livestock a project from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security also emerged, proceeded to the next round-the Technical Review Panel. It was exciting to witness Makerere University Resilient Africa Network (RAN) including Hemafuse: Auto transfusion for Internal Hemorrhages and Purdue:

The Practical Utility Platform second-USD 1,250 (both partners are not directly under the Higher Education Solutions Network-HESN) and Makerere University, the only African based HESN Lab emerged third triumphing with USD 750 outstandingly leading the other HESN Labs. These funds are towards further development of these projects aimed at responding to communities’ development challenges. Such projects also benefit from the visibility, mentorship and incubation opportunities within the greater HESN and at the RAN Resilience Innovation Labs. “It is amazing how much potential is in this great institution, we all need to explore, build and support it further” remarked Prof. William Bazeyo, Dean Makerere University School of Public Health and RAN Chief of Party/Lab Director.David Lubega, student Innovator on the Hydroponic Fodder Production for Livestock project in the Innovation Marketplace

The Makerere University team was led by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere University Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration and RAN Patron. While interacting with the student innovators, he commented “Young men and women, our future is in your hands, Innovations is the way to go and Makerere University has been committed to supporting and nurturing innovations since 1922, the ball is in your courts to make use of all the available opportunities to develop solutions to African communities’ most pressing challenges”. Prof. David Serwadda, RAN Technical Advisor, the Resilience Innovation Lab (RILab) Directors (Eastern Africa, West Africa, Horn of Africa and Southern Africa RILabs) and faculty were part of this team in support of innovations as solutions to development challenges.

The TechCon2014 sponsors including VENTUREWELL, the Lemelson foundation-improving lives through invention, World Vision, the Development Impact Lab and the Higher Education Solutions Network cannot go without mention. Thank you for the commitment to accelerating Global Development.

Article by ResilientAfrica Network (RAN)

Elias Tuhereze

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Applications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2026/27

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2 days ago

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May 25, 2026

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Students in discussion groups in Freedom Square on 1st April 2026.

UPDATE 25th May 2026

  • Application deadline extended to 28th May 2026.

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 for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.

Each applicant should:

Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2025, 2024 and 2023 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.

Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Monday 20th April 2026. 

A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals  plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.                                           

 Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Level results should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.

Advert-Mak-PRIVATE-Undergraduate-ADMISSION-2026-2027Download
Additional-A-Level-Private AdvertDownload

How to submit your application                                            

  1. Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug/
  2. Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
  3. A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.                                      
  4. The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
  5. To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.                                              
  6. Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
  7. Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority                                            

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:                                                 

  1. Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel                                                             
  2. Select option 3-Admission                                                     
  3. Select option 3-Pay Fees
  4. Enter reference number obtained from Application portal 
  5. Details of Application form will be confirmed                                                              
  6. Enter PIN to confirm payment                                                            

The closing date for receiving applications shall be 28th May 2026.

WARNING:                                                             

  1. Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission.  The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
  2. Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office.  Those who buy them do so at their own risk. 
  3. The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.    
  4. Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.                                               

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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Admission List for Bachelor of Laws under Government Sponsorship 2026/27

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6 days ago

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May 22, 2026

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The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists for students admitted to the Bachelor of Laws under Government Sponsorship for the Academic Year 2026/2027.

Please note that the list below contains those who were admitted under the Direct (A’ Level Leavers), Diploma, and Mature Age Entry Schemes.

The admission list is shown below:

Mak-Undergraduate-Bachelor-of-Laws-Government-Sponsorship-2026-2027Download

Related:

Pre-entry Examination Results for Admission to Bachelor of Laws 2026/2027

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Admission List to Bachelor of Education External (BED) 2026/27 -Government Sponsorship

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1 week ago

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May 20, 2026

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Graduands from College of Education and External Studies (CEES) at the 73rd Graduation on Tuesday 14th February 2023, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of Diploma holders provisionally admitted to Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL) programme under Private Sponsorship for the Academic Year 2026/2027 pending verification of their academic documents by the awarding institutions.

The List can be accessed by following the link below:

Mak-Undergraduate-Admissions-Bachelor-of-Education-External-BED-2026-2027Download

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