African universities have been discussing and proposing much greater uptake of online learning in the recent decades. Perceived threats to jobs, lack of skills and exposure, and traditional perceptions of the role of a lecturer as the best mechanism for knowledge sharing and facilitating learning were some of the factors discouraging uptake. This is notwithstanding improvements in the quality, accessibility and affordability of ICTs to support online teaching and learning. The low investment by universities in providing the infrastructure, policies and the training necessary to support blended learning, has confounded the situation. However, the advent of COVID-19 has revolutionized thinking on the Higher Education space worldwide. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the instituted measures to limit its spread, has brought with it many changes, challenges and opportunities across the entire education value chain across nations. In Africa, universities are finding ways to keep their students academically engaged despite the closure of classrooms, libraries, laboratories and other teaching and learning facilities. Today, the establishment of Learning Management Systems such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Improved Skype, Google Classroom and Google Hangouts, among others, in universities can favor continued access to teaching and learning, while still maintaining some opportunities for physical contact. However, the majority of students still have no access to good internet signal and data, computers or smart phones in order to take advantage of such online learning and teaching facilities. At national level, many countries need to review their policies, regulations, resource allocation, and human and infrastructural capacities in order to address the emerging challenges, take advantage of the rising opportunities and support the required transformation in the education sector.
This report covers points of action and emerging issues from Webinar 11 organized by RUFORUM on African Universities in post COVID-19: assessing the opportunities and challenges of online learning held on 16th September, 2020.
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.