A delegation from the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai-Niger State, Nigeria has today 2nd March 2017 paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor and extended a hand of collaboration to Makerere University. The four-man delegation from IBBU was led by the institution’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Muhammad M. Maiturare and received by the acting Vice Chancellor and Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)-Prof. Edward Kirumira, as well as the Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)-Prof. Bernard Bashaasha.
The delegation’s visit to Makerere University was facilitated by the Ugandan High Commissioner to Nigeria-H.E. Nelson Ocheger who also accompanied the team. H.E. Ocheger thanked the Office of the Vice Chancellor for receiving the delegation on short notice and shared that the visit was based on IBBU’s intention to promote organic agriculture in Nigeria as well as other countries where Nigeria has diplomatic missions.
“I have already informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and other Ministries about IBBU’s intentions. The delegation has also just returned from Iganga where they intend to start a pilot project” shared the High Commissioner.
In his remarks, Prof. Maiturare thanked H.E. Nelson Ocheger for making the contact with Makerere and the acting Vice Chancellor for granting his delegation audience. He shared that although IBBU was state-owned University founded on 12 years ago, it is actively involved in cutting edge research in agriculture and other disciplines. He congratulated Makerere upon the recently concluded 67th Graduation and noted that the almost 15,000 graduands surpassed IBBU’s entire student population! He commended the institution for maintaining her number three position in Africa and noted that it was a pleasure for IBBU to interface with Makerere in terms of research as well as the foreseeable staff and student exchanges. “We therefore extend a hand of collaboration to Makerere University and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.
Prof. Edward Kirumira warmly welcomed Prof. Maiturare and the IBBU delegation to Makerere University and shared the Vice Chancellor-Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu’s apologies for not being able to personally meet the team. “The Vice Chancellor is currently away on official duty,” he added.
He commended the High Commissioner and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating the visit, observing that this would foster Internationalization of the collaboration. “This initiative by the Ministry of Foreign affairs will create ownership of the collaboration and make it easy to bring other Government agencies on board. We look forward to a strong tripartite collaboration” added Prof. Kirumira.
The acting Vice Chancellor further encouraged the IBBU delegation to take advantage of the research already conducted by the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IMHDSS) “a lot of research has been conducted at the household level, which findings will provide a lot of useful information to your pilot project” concluded Prof. Kirumira.
The delegation is slated to visit the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and interface with administrators and researchers. They also expressed interest in interfacing with the leadership of the Actuarial Science programme at Makerere University.
Seven years after graduating in 2018, Alex still exudes a warm and approachable demeanor. Despite his esteemed position, he carries no air of superiority. He is an accommodating and attentive listener, and our conversation about his journey flowed effortlessly.
“I don’t think I would have pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering if it had not been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University,” Alex Mirugwe recalls.
Alex’s journey was one of purely humble beginnings, began 30 years ago in Kyotera District, where he was the third of six children born to the late Charles Kalimirwa and Margaret Nampija.
His academic path led him to Broadway High School for both O’ and A’ levels, where he studied Physics, Economics, Mathematics, and ICT.
Alex recounts that when his Senior Six results were released, he had scored 17 points, but was uncertain of the following steps since his family could not afford his university tuition.
“If it hadn’t been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, my family would have struggled to raise my tuition,” he notes.
Faced with his results, Alex sought all possible opportunities to further his education. As luck would have it, while reading the New Vision Newspaper one day, he saw an advertisement for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Alex (back row in brown shirt) attending a capacity building session during his time as a Scholar on the Program.
“I applied, got shortlisted, attended interviews, and I succeeded. That is how I gained the opportunity to join Makerere University,” he remarks.
The Program offers scholarships to bright but underprivileged children who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering.
Upon completing his first degree, he received another opportunity from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town to pursue his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Data Science.
After attaining his M.Sc. from the University of Cape Town, he returned to Uganda and began applying for jobs.
“When I returned, I relaxed for only three months, and in the fourth month, when I decided to send out my applications, I secured a job at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) project as a data scientist,” Alex pointed out.
When Alex landed his dream job, it was the perfect opportunity to continue researching something he has always loved; supporting the analysis of HIV data. His dream job exposed him to data from more than 1,600 health facilities across the country.
“It has been an intriguing journey; I am pursuing what I studied. I would advise people to seize postgraduate opportunities because, when I completed my Master’s, I encountered no obstacles in securing a job.”
For now, he is focused on raising his young family.
His story is a powerful reminder of the significance of education for all. His journey from a humble village upbringing to a national role has been driven by a profound sense of purpose and a commitment to creating a better world for everyone.
Alex’s parting words, “Take your studies seriously, and learning never ceases.
“Continue to enhance your academic qualifications. You will transform your story.”
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications for admission to Graduate Programmes (Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctoral Degree Programmes) for the 2025/2026 Academic Year. Applicants should have obtained at least a first or second class degree (or its equivalent) from a Chartered University at the time of completion. Applicants should also possess a Uganda Certificate of Education (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (or its equivalent).
Sponsorship:
All Graduate Programmes are PRIVATELY-SPONSORED. Therefore applicants seeking sponsorship should have their applications endorsed by their respective sponsors where applicable. Applicants should note that the various fees payable to the University indicated for the various programmes EXCLUDE functional fees, accommodation, books, research and other expenses.
Sign up using 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.
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 (for first time applicants) or MY PORTAL button (for renewal of application) displayed on the appropriate scheme i.e. Taught PhDs, Masters & Postgrad Diplomas OR PhD by Research.
All academic transcripts/certificates and passport photos should be scanned and uploaded on the system.
Obtain a payment reference number [PRN] by clicking on “Pay for Form” button
Make the following payments at any of the banks used by URA
Application fee = Ugx 50,000 (East African applicants) or Ugx 151,500 (International Applicants)
For INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS, application fees can be transferred either by EFT or any other means in UGX to a designated URA collection account in Bank of Uganda as follows:
Account Name: UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY COLLECTIONS Account No: 003410158000002 Swift Code: UGBAUGKAU Bank Name: BANK OF UGANDA Bank Address: KAMPALA, UGANDA Currency: UGANDA SHILLINGS Strictly observe the closing date of Wednesday, 30th April, 2025
All Applicants for Master of Business Administration (College of Business and Management Sciences and Makerere University Business School) will do a GMAT test on dates to be communicated by College of Business and Management Sciencesand Makerere University Business School respectively.
All Applicants for Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Counselling Psychology, Master of Organisational Psychology and Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology will be invited for an interview before admission can be made on dates to be communicated by College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.
The Candidates who scored 50% and above in the aptitude test passed the aptitude examination and will have their programme -specific examination paper marked. Those who scored less than 50% failed.
Access the links below for the lists categorised under Science-based and Humanities based programmes respectively: