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Mak-MKU Expand Joint Collaboration to Institutional Level

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Makerere University and Mount Kenya University (MKU) on Monday, 14th January 2019 officially expanded their collaboration to institutional level following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Signed on behalf of Mak by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and on behalf of MKU by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stanley Waudo, the MoU is a follow-up of an earlier one signed on 19th September 2017 between the two institutions’ Colleges of Health Sciences. Mak’s College of Education and External Studies (CEES) has also been collaborating with MKU’s School of Education since 2017.

 

Welcoming the delegation to Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended MKU and colleagues in Makerere for all the progress made since the initial agreement was signed at college level.

“Collaboration is the way to go. We should emulate Universities in the US and Europe which are reaping a lot from grants through joint applications. I therefore encourage all colleagues engaged in partnerships with Mount Kenya University to jointly apply for grants. This way, we shall be able to attract bigger funding for our research activities” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.

Accompanied by his Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research Affairs, Dr. Bibianne Waiganjo and Director of Quality Assurance, Linkages and Partnerships, Prof. Mwangi Peter Wanderi, Prof. Waudo further emphasised the need for both institutions to focus on graduate students if they are to improve their research output.

“As Professors, we are training these students to take over from us. We should teach them how to write research grants” said Prof. Waudo in reference to his own training at Iowa State University where he earned his Masters and PhD in plant pathology. “At Masters level, first year students are paired with colleagues in second year for mentorship and review of theses so that professors receive a refined document. The is the same case at PhD level” he added.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) hands over a souvenir Mak Mug to MKU's Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research Affairs, Dr. Bibianne Waiganjo (L) during the MoU signing

Contributing to the day’s discussion, the Acting Director, Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine reiterated Makerere’s regional leadership in institutionalising gender in University functions. In 2001, the Gender Mainstreaming Programme was initiated under the Department of the Academic Registrar and has in the last ten years transitioned from the Gender Mainstreaming Division to the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.

“It is good to learn that Mount Kenya University has adopted a Gender policy. However, from our experience, you need to develop and implementation framework in order to effectively implement the policy” advised Dr. Mugisha.
 
In his remarks, the Director, Directorate Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi shared with the visiting delegation Makerere’s current drive to be a research-intensive university.

“The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training coordinates the institution research efforts at college and project levels. We are reaping big from international collaborations with each of the ten colleges and Principal Investigators (PIs) attracting research grants for the various projects” remarked Prof. Buyinza.

He further shared the University’s drive to improve graduate training as a way of boosting research output. “Our biggest pillar in research is graduate students. We are implementing the Doctoral Committee system to improve our throughput and hold annual Doctoral Conventions for accountability and to share progress on various research findings.”

The Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi was all praises for the Mak-MKU collaboration which has played witness to joint supervision of education students on school practice by staff from both institutions.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) hands over a souvenir Mak Necktie to MKU's Director of Quality Assurance, Linkages and Partnerships, Prof. Mwangi Peter Wanderi (L) during the MoU signing

“At the end of the visits, we generate reports which have been very good in informing us on the way forward. We are now jointly developing multidisciplinary research projects” added the Principal.

The College of Health Sciences (CHS) has since signing the MoU in September 2017 made several strides in joint research projects. The Principal CHS, Prof. Charles Ibingira shared that the two institutions were utilising the US$100,000 joint research grant forge South-South research partnerships.

“We have a model where applicants from the two institutions must pair up in order to apply for grants and Prof. Harriet Mayanja-Kizza is in charge of this. So far, we have over five teams working together that have already embarked on research. We shall soon produce joint publications” remarked Prof. Ibingira.

“Collaboration is a great endeavour that all contemporary universities should look forward to” remarked the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba as he gave the concluding remarks.

Makerere has invested heavily in staff development and I can assure you that collaboration with this University in terms of staff exchange cannot lack in any discipline. We have approximately 800 staff with PhDs in various disciplines” said Dr. Kakumba.

He however pointed out that whereas staff exchange was thriving, student exchange was still lacking and needed to be promoted. “Our proximity to each other will grant new learning experiences to our students and give them good exposure to our different learning environments” added the DVCAA.

Earlier, Prof. Mwangi had made a presentation on MKU during which he shared his institution’s intention to benchmark Mak’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB). He also highlighted cost-cutting measures undertaken by MKU and CEES that involved teams meeting at the border town of Busia for one week in order to undertake joint activities, instead of travelling all the way to either institution’s campuses.

The two parties thereafter signed the MoU and exchanged institutional souvenir items. The MKU will during their visit to Makerere University tour the Main Library, visit the CHS Campus in Mulago and attend the 69th Graduation Ceremony.

Article by Public Relations Office

 

Mark Wamai

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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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