General
Mak to double scholarships for female students
Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation (FSF) is set to double scholarships for female students from 20 to 40 slots with a comprehensive package. This was revealed by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. William Bazeyo during the FSF Resource Mobilisation Dinner which took place on 6th December 2019 at Kampala Serena Hotel, Victoria Hall.
“Starting next academic year, Makerere University will provide 40 scholarships to bright female students from socio-economically dis-advantaged backgrounds. The University has been providing 20 scholarships tagged to only tuition. Makerere University will double the scholarship slots, and also cater for both tuition and functional fees for the successful applicants. This offer will run for a period of five (5) years,” said Prof. William Bazeyo while representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
In line with the theme of the Resource Mobilisation Drive, "Drop a coin and forever change a life," the Guest of Honour, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni contributed UGX 20 million while UGX 63million was raised in cash and pledges from individuals during the dinner.
Prior to the Friday Dinner, the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) with support from FSF Alumni who felt the need to give back to Makerere University for giving them an opportunity to acquire university education had raised UGX 30 million.
The ongoing FSF Resource Mobilisation Drive targets raising 15 billion shillings to enable 500 bright female students, but from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to access education at Makerere University in the next ten (10) years. The FSF Resource Mobilisation Dinner is one of the platforms highlighted in the robust fundraising strategy being implemented by Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.
In a speech read by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, the Minister of Education and Sports applauded Makerere University and individuals of good will for contributing generously to the Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation aimed at empowering the girl-child through access to university education.
“Education is globally recognized as one of the factors of development therefore, Makerere University through the Female Scholarship Foundation contributes to the development of Uganda since women and girls sustain the productivity of a nation” said Hon. Kataaha Museveni.
She recognized the efforts of the Government of Uganda through programmes such as the Universal Primary Education (UPE), Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Skilling Uganda aimed at increasing access to education and ensuring that the girl child attains quality education.
In total support of this noble cause, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Oulanyah rallied Ugandans to always help other people to live their potential. Leading by example, Rt. Hon. Oulanyah, a proud alumnus of Makerere University pledged UGX 10 million. “I was in Makerere University many years back. Makerere University made me. It shaped me. I call upon you, to always remember that in every situation we must build for the future. We must adapt the virus of Helping Other People Live their Potential-the HPLP virus,” he remarked.
Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation (FSF) was born out of the Female Scholarship Initiative (FSI) established at Makerere University in 2001 with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and later in 2005 by the Government of Sweden through SIDA. The goal of FSF is to support bright female students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to access university education thus contributing to the increased female enrollment at the University.
According to the Director, Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, the Female Scholarship Foundation (FSF) has enabled 1,160 Ugandan women to obtain University Education at Makerere. She noted that the Resource Mobilisation dinner is one of the ways of renewing Makerere University and stakeholders’ efforts to sustain the Scholarships through mobilizing resources nationally and internationally.
“Helping others, especially those less disadvantaged than us is one of the key virtues that defines us as human beings. We appreciate all the various partners who have supported us since 2001 and we appeal to you to donate generously for the cause of empowerment of women though university education. We pledge our commitment to utilize whichever resources we will generate and those generated for the purpose for which they have been mobilized and we shall do it with integrity and transparency,” said Dr. Baine.
She appreciated other partners such as; The Carnegie Corporation of New York, MS JD Global Education Fund, DFCU Bank, Joshua Mugyenyi Foundation, The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Uganda and individuals of good will for their support towards the Foundation.
Dr. Jessica Norah Aguti, Chairperson of the GMD Scholarship Selection Committee commended the Guest of Honor, University Management, alumni and well-wishers for honoring the invitation to the FSF Resource Mobilisation Dinner. "With your presence, you have demonstrated that you support Makerere University's strides to support young women to access university education."
Speaking at the same function, Ms. Agnes Baluka, on behalf of the 1,160 female students who have been supported so far through the Female Scholarship Initiative (FSI) and Female Scholarship Foundation (FSF), applauded Makerere University, development partners and individuals for giving them a worthwhile gift in the form of University education that has transformed their lives and the lives of other people.
The overjoyed Ms Baluka shared that after her graduation, she embarked on a career journey in the academia that enabled her to educate her siblings, educate other female students who were struggling with fees at the Secondary and University levels as well active participation in community programmes.
Watching the FSF Video, the audience was amazed by the testimonies from some of the Scholarship beneficiaries who after their graduation have positively contributed to the transformation of communities and the well being of other people.
Important Message: To support this noble cause, please effect payment to: Account Name-Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation, Account No. 01083501009628 , Bank-DFCU Bank, Makerere University Branch.
Article by: Ritah Namisango and Esther Joy Nakibombo, Mak Public Relations Office.
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Mak FSF Dinner Raises Over UGX90m in Cash & Pledges
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged newly admitted postgraduate diploma and master’s students to take ownership of their academic journey, produce knowledge that addresses Africa’s challenges and use their training to create opportunities for society.
The call was made on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the orientation of postgraduate diploma and master’s students held at the Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University. The orientation was conducted under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Graduate Training to Transform Africa’s Research Trajectory.”
Addressing the students, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said admission to postgraduate education marked an important transition from undergraduate study and should come with greater independence, critical thinking and responsibility.
“Postgraduate study is not just the accumulation of knowledge. You are now active researchers, critical thinkers and creators of your own knowledge,” Prof. Ssali said.
She said postgraduate training should enable students to deepen their expertise, strengthen their analytical abilities and develop solutions to real-world problems.
“Through your projects, dissertations, innovations and professional practice, you have the opportunity to contribute knowledge that can influence policies, improve services and transform lives. Your research matters, and your contribution matters,” she said.
Prof. Ssali urged students to see their studies beyond the pursuit of a degree, encouraging them to ask themselves why they had chosen postgraduate education and what contribution they intended to make to their communities and professions.
“See your coursework as an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that will help you propose new solutions to real-world challenges,” she said.
She also encouraged students to embrace collaboration with communities and non-academic partners, saying many of them were already coming to the University with professional and community experiences that could enrich their research.
“Don’t think that your scholarship is only for those who look academic. Embrace community, embrace networks,” she said.
Prof. Ssali further cautioned the students against wasting time, noting that many postgraduate students have employment, family and other responsibilities alongside their studies.
“Make the most of your time and don’t waste it,” she said, urging students to use available study time productively even when there are changes in their lecture schedules.
She also emphasised the need for students to take responsibility for their progress instead of waiting for lecturers or supervisors to push them.
“Postgraduate education requires independence, independent inquiry, independent research, independent interrogation and also active participation,” Prof. Ssali said.
Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of Graduate Training, told the students that their admission was a significant achievement given the large number of applicants seeking postgraduate opportunities at Makerere.
“We received over 12,000 applications to our postgraduate programmes, but we are only able to take just a small percentage of that. That means you are just the few people who are able to do this,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He urged the new students to appreciate the opportunity and understand that graduate education carries responsibilities beyond attending lectures and completing examinations.
According to Prof. Kikooma, Uganda and Africa require highly trained human capital capable of driving national and continental development priorities.
“The country needs more highly trained people if it is going to achieve its aspirations and priorities for national development,” he said.
He challenged the students to consider what Uganda and Africa would look like in the coming decades and to question whether the continent would continue relying on ideas, innovations and creations generated elsewhere.
“Will it still be a country that always depends on ideas, innovations and creations that come from outside?” he asked, before urging the students to become part of the generation that develops home-grown solutions.
Prof. Kikooma said much of what Uganda would need in the future would depend on what the country invests in today, particularly in human capital and research.
He also explained that the Directorate of Graduate Training works with colleges, schools, departments and central University units to strengthen the quality of graduate education.
“We want to make sure that what you are taking away from here is of a certain quality,” he said, adding that the University has established policies, standards and systems intended to create an environment in which postgraduate students can succeed.
However, Prof. Kikooma stressed that the University cannot take responsibility for the entire academic journey on behalf of students.
“We will not replace your programme. We will not replace your lecturers. We will not replace your supervisors. Each of those has a different role to play along your journey,” he said.
He encouraged students to be proactive by understanding their programmes, colleges and the various support services available to them.
“Successful graduates tend to be proactive rather than reactive. So don’t wait until you have a problem, then you start running from it,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He further urged the students to work within the stipulated programme period, noting that most master’s programmes take about two years while postgraduate diploma programmes generally take one year.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, urged the newly admitted students to use their graduate training to produce knowledge capable of addressing challenges facing their communities, Uganda and Africa.
He challenged them to move beyond consuming knowledge generated elsewhere and instead become producers of knowledge and solutions.
Prof. Wamala emphasised the importance of connecting research to society, innovation and professional practice, encouraging students to identify problems within their workplaces and communities that could become areas for meaningful research.
He said Africa needed researchers capable of generating evidence, innovations and practical solutions to support development rather than simply importing solutions from other parts of the world.
The Director encouraged the students to build collaborative networks during their studies and to regard the University as an ecosystem in which researchers, professionals, communities and other partners can work together.
Dr. Kizito Ongaya, Deputy University Librarian, introduced the students to Makerere’s extensive library and information resources, urging them to make the library a central part of their postgraduate studies.
He said the University Library operates a hybrid system combining physical collections with electronic resources.
“We have over 200,000 types of books in our library, with 45 e-journal databases,” Dr. Ongaya said.
He encouraged students to make use of the University’s electronic databases, noting that substantial resources are invested in providing access to scholarly journals.
“If you don’t use e-journals, you are unacceptable,” he told the students, emphasising that postgraduate research requires extensive engagement with scholarly literature.
Dr. Ongaya also highlighted the University’s archival collections, specialised libraries and information centres located across its colleges.
He said students would be guided on how to access both physical and electronic resources and encouraged them to explore specialised collections that could support their individual research areas.
Dr. Mike Barongo, Team Leader ICT, Department of the Academic Registrar, told the new students that Makerere had increasingly digitised its academic and administrative processes and urged them to complete their online registration as an immediate priority.
He said students could access their provisional admission letters through the online application system and use the student number provided to activate their student portals.
“The student portal is very, very critical,” Dr. Barongo said.
He explained that students must enrol and register in order to access key University services, including institutional email and Wi-Fi.
“Once you enroll, you create an institutional email address. That institutional email address is the gateway for you to access so many things, like Wi-Fi,” he said.
Dr. Barongo also informed students that ICT support centres were available to assist those experiencing challenges with enrolment, registration or access to digital services.
He urged students to ensure they enrol and register every semester so that the University systems can accurately capture their academic and financial information.
Others senior members in attendance include the Deputy University Bursar Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba and Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre.
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged its newly admitted PhD students to go beyond pursuing academic qualifications and become independent scholars capable of generating knowledge, solving societal problems and contributing to Africa’s transformation.
The call was made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, during the orientation of the 2026/2027 PhD cohort at Makerere University’s Main Hall in the Main Building on 10th August 2026.
Prof. Ssali told the new scholars that a PhD marks a fundamental shift from previous levels of education, requiring students to take greater responsibility for their academic progress rather than depending entirely on lecturers and supervisors.
“You will have to push yourself and also push your supervisor to move with you,” Prof. Ssali said, urging the students to take ownership of their doctoral journey.
She acknowledged that many PhD students have to balance their studies with employment, family responsibilities and community leadership, making doctoral training demanding. However, she urged them to remain focused on completing their programmes within the prescribed three, four or five years.
Prof. Ssali said Makerere expects its doctoral training to produce scholars who can create knowledge, challenge existing ideas and develop solutions to societal problems.
She encouraged the students to embrace ambiguity and become comfortable questioning what they already know, noting that doctoral education requires scholars to identify important questions, investigate them and generate answers that advance knowledge.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor also urged the students to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and scholarly networks rather than confining their research to their individual disciplines.
She said the success of doctoral education should not be measured merely by the number of dissertations completed or papers published, but by the extent to which research contributes to society.
With Africa facing complex challenges, including climate change, disease, population growth and development pressures, Prof. Ssali said PhD scholars have a responsibility to generate evidence that can influence policy, strengthen institutions and advance innovation.
She challenged each scholar to continually ask what problem their research addresses, what solution it advances and whether that solution can create sustainable value.
The Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, said the new cohort was joining Makerere at a time when the University is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening graduate education and improving completion rates.
Prof. Kikooma revealed that Makerere received close to 12,000 applications across its master’s, postgraduate and PhD programmes but admitted about 6,000 students.
He said graduate education has been placed at the centre of the University’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and prepare scholars to contribute to knowledge production and innovation.
Under the reforms, PhD students will undertake compulsory cross-cutting courses designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for doctoral research. They will also be required to undertake teaching in either their second or third year under the guidance of their supervisors.
In addition to completing their theses, students will be required to produce at least two publications before graduation, a requirement intended to prepare them to become the next generation of researchers, innovators, inventors and creators.
Makerere has also introduced a digital system to monitor the progress of every PhD student each semester. The system is intended to enable students, supervisors and university officials to identify challenges early and intervene in real time.
Prof. Kikooma urged the scholars to write regularly, think critically, maintain open and constructive relationships with their supervisors and protect their academic integrity and professional reputation.
He also encouraged them to build scholarly networks and remain resilient, noting that rejected papers, disappointing data and unexpected challenges are normal aspects of doctoral training.
The Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, challenged the scholars to ensure that the knowledge they produce is trustworthy, responsible and ethically sound.
Prof. Wamala emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity, rights, safety and autonomy of research participants, particularly where studies involve individuals, communities and personal information.
He highlighted informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, justice and accountability as critical principles of ethical research and urged students to maintain transparency throughout the research process, from developing research questions and collecting data to analyzing and reporting findings.
Prof. Wamala also cautioned the students on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
He said although AI can assist researchers with activities such as language improvement, it does not remove the researcher’s responsibility for the final product.
Researchers, he said, must verify AI-generated information and remain accountable for inaccurate statements, misleading interpretations and incorrect references.
He further urged students involved in international and other research collaborations to establish clear agreements on roles, authorship, data ownership, access and intellectual property before commencing their research.
The Deputy University Librarian, Dr. Kizito Ongaya, meanwhile, urged the new scholars to make full use of Makerere’s library and information resources throughout their doctoral journey.
Dr. Ongaya said the University operates a hybrid library system combining physical and electronic resources, with more than 200,000 books, 45 e-journal databases and over 16,000 archival materials available to researchers.
He encouraged the students to participate in library training to learn how to access and effectively use electronic resources and to explore specialized libraries and information centers across the University’s colleges.
These include resources covering natural sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, health sciences, education and humanities, as well as museums, botanical gardens, specialized collections and other research facilities.
The newly admitted doctoral students were also addressed by Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba, the Deputy University Bursar and members of Makerere University Convocation.
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