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MasterCard Foundation awards 200 scholarships

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It was a memorable afternoon on Friday 2nd September 2016, when 200 students who qualified for a comprehensive scholarship package under the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University convened in the Makerere University Main Hall to receive their Letters of Award.

 “Joining Makerere University through the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme was a turning point in my life. I was admitted to study Bachelor of Science with Education. I see a bright future as a teacher who will aim at promoting the studying of sciences in the community. I want to act as a role model to those who are scared of sciences. It is good that I am studying education,” testified Beth Nanyama, one of the Cohort 3 Scholars.

Makerere University signed US$20,989,965.15 contract with MasterCard Foundation to sponsor 1000 students who are academically bright but economically disadvantaged youth from Africa to study at Makerere University from 2013 to 2023. The contract, signed by Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu and Peggy Woo Chief Financial Officer, MasterCard Foundation, was officially exchanged on 1st September 2015.

For the Academic Year 2016/2017, which started on 20th August 2016, 200 successful students were enrolled to study at Makerere University under the 3rd Cohort under the MasterCard Foundation (MCF) Scholars Programme at Makerere University. The programme officially started in the 2014/2015 academic year, with the 1st Cohort comprising 46 students who are currently in their third year of study. The 2nd Cohort Scholars admitted during the 2015/2016 academic year comprised 49 students.

Makerere University  Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu addressing the scholars.Addressing the 3rd Cohort comprising 200 scholars, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu welcomed the scholars to Makerere University. He congratulated the successful Scholars upon attaining the scholarship that will not only enable them to access higher education, but also significantly contribute to the transformation of their lives.

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu emphasized the need for academic excellence, advised the scholars to effectively utilize the resources and student support services provided under the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University and to associate with people who will add value to their academic and social life.

 “Dear Scholars, you have been given everything to enable you excel. Both Makerere University and our partner the MasterCard Foundation, expect continued academic excellence from you. Failure to live up to our academic expectations will lead to discontinuation from this Scholarship programme. Neither Makerere University nor the MasterCard Foundation expects you to be discontinued. We are training you to be the next generation of achievers and leaders, who will be committed to service and giving back to your community,” remarked the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu thanked Dr. Florence Nakayiwa and her Project Implementation team for professionally managing the Scholars programme. The Vice Chancellor reiterated the University Management’s commitment to supporting The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University.

The Programme Coordinator, Dr. Florence Nakayiwa explained that the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University is part of the wider global network of MasterCard Foundation Scholars. Ideologically, the program was designed to nurture the next generation of African leaders. There are partners in Ghana, South Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Each year the programme issues a call for applications which climaxes with the selection of qualifying students.

“This year we have been able to register 21 international scholars from Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan, and Kenya. We have 75 scholars directly transiting from BRAC-our secondary school partner. The Cohort has 104 nationals from the wider Ugandan population. The female Scholars constitute 72% out of our target of 80%,” she highlighted.The MCF Program Coordinator at Makerere University Dr. Florence Nakayiwa.

According to the Chairperson of Selection Committee, MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University, Dr. Aaron Mushengyezi, the selection process began in January, 2016 with the updating and approval of recruitment tools, publicity campaign in the newspapers and other media for the scholars to apply. Successful applicants were short listed and interviewed.

“We also did the home validation visits to ensure that those that were finally selected deserved the scholarships. That is how we were able to come up with the final list of the awardees. Out of the 2109 applicants, only 200 students were awarded. We went through a trauma to select only 200 participants,” he stated.

Dr. Mushengyezi also highlighted to the audience the several challenges the Selection team met while carrying out the selection process. Among the challenges the team encountered was ensuring equity in the awarding process.

“That’s why we had to visit the applicants’ homes unannounced such that we could do checks on the families, parents and their guardians to ensure that there were no masqueraders. We ensured that we were not awarding children of rich people,” he said.

“Another challenge we had during this process was the pain of seeing hundreds of deserving children being left out. We validated hundreds of them who really deserved the scholarships yet we had only 200 vacancies. We disappointed so many children and parents; we endured very many hours of seeing people crying before us but we really had nothing to do about this,” he added.

The Alternate Chairperson, Steering Committee Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged students to focus on their studies and aim for better grades so as to account for the sacrifices made by the sponsors of the program.

“Always remember the sacrifices made for you. Always remember that you have parents and people who have supported you to reach where you are now. Within three to five years, you will be leaving the gates of this University and I look forward to celebrating your graduation,” he said.-

The overjoyed audience comprising MCF Scholars, MCF Advisory Board, MCF Steering Committee, MCF Mentors, MCF Selection Committee, Members of Makerere University Council and Senate, Principals and Deputy Principals, parents, MCF Project Implementation Team and the media viewed a video clip by Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the MasterCard Foundation. The video clip featured a message on the objective and goals of the MasterCard Foundation including the importance of giving back to the community and youth leadership empowerment.

The Award Ceremony was also graced by the parents of some of the Scholars. Sharing an inspiration talk with the students, Ms. Nanyunja Joy- a mother to one of the Cohort 3 Scholars advised them to concentrate on their studies in order to meet the expectations of the sponsors and parents at large.overjoyed sholars posing for a photo in Makerere University Freedom Square

Ms. Nanyunja thanked Makerere University together with MasterCard Foundation for initiating a wonderful program that caters for the needy when she said, “We learnt about Master Card through my counselor who helps me on my health and social issues. She showed me a news paper and told me to tell the children to pick the application forms. They rushed and picked the forms and we did all the necessary. To my dream, we later saw a message on my daughter’s phone calling her for an interview. She came for the interview, and later one of the facilitators came to our home for assessment. And now, here we are. Thank you very much MasterCard Foundation and Makerere University for enabling quality education to our children.”

The audience also listened to testimonies from two MCF Scholars; Nanyama Beth a student of Bsc. Education (Biology, Chemistry), and Ndoli Mark an International Student from Rwanda (MasterCard Foundation Scholar at Makerere University).

The invited guests were treated to fascinating and awesome African traditional dances by students from the Department of Performing Arts and Film.

 

Article by: Mak News Reporters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proscovia Nabatte

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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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