The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in collaboration with Makerere University is once again in a position to offer up to 6 PhD scholarships in Plant Breeding and up to 8 Masters scholarships in Environment and Natural Resources for the 2019 intake:
Application requirements:
In addition to the specific application requirements of the study programme/course you are applying for, please note the following DAAD application requirements:
• Citizenship of a country in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Bachelor’s and / or Master’s degree qualification with at least above average results
• Proof of admission to Makerere University to the desired degree programme or official letter assuring admission
• For PhD applicants: Evidence of being a staff of a public or private university (or candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment).
Duration and commencement:
The awards are available for up to a maximum of two years (Master) and three years (Ph.D.). The scholarship is initially granted for one year and may be extended upon individual request and receipt of a complete application by using a form to be availed at the appropriate time in the DAAD Portal. The application for renewal has to be submitted at least one month before the scholarship period expires. Please note that this is not a full scholarship, as DAAD will only provide funding as stated in the scholarship information sheet. The value of the scholarship is in the information sheet.
Eligible programmes and specific requirements:
Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources
Applicants are required to fulfil the general minimum entrance requirements of Makerere University. Applicants must possess a good honours degree in relevant disciplines such as natural sciences, environmental sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, agricultural sciences, engineering, law and humanities from a recognized University/Institution.
PhD in Plant Breeding
Holds a Master’s degree from a University recognized by Makerere University, in Plant breeding or related fields (Examples: Crop Sciences, Genetics, Plant Sciences).
For both MSc and PhD, in addition, applicant should also possess a Ugandan Certificate of Education with at least five passes (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with at least two principal passes and one subsidiary pass obtained at the same sitting (or its equivalent).
Equal opportunities:
Female candidates and candidates from less privileged regions or groups as well as candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Application instructions:
This is the first stage of application. Written applications should be addressed to the Director DRGT, Makerere University and accompanied with certified copies of bachelor/masters degree transcripts and certificates, at least a provisional admission letter or evidence of application for admission, evidence of teaching employment in a University (PhD applicants), and two referees letters. Applications should be submitted in soft (scanned, PDF) or hard copies to Ms. Grace Akol, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, Research and Publications Office, Lincoln Flat B5, Makerere University, not later than 5.00 pm on Friday 15th February, 2019. Soft copies should be E-mailed to: conference@rgt.mak.ac.ug. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.
In the second stage of application, the shortlisted candidates will be guided by DRGT to log onto a DAAD web portal (https://portal.daad.de/irj/portal) to register and submit an application and appropriate documents to DAAD Nairobi (see information sheet for scholars, 2019/20; Section 2. DAAD Application documents). DAAD reserves the right of final selection.
Selection of candidates:
A panel constituted by DRGT will screen, rank, pre-select and short-list double the number of candidates as the offer (i.e. 12 and 16 candidates for PhDs and masters, respectively). Shortlist will be based on the quality of the applications, gender balance and the rule that one third of the applicants shall be from another institution and/or country.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.