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.
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:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.