The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications for admission to Graduate Programmes (Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctoral Degree Programmes) for the 2021/2022 Academic Year. Applicants should have obtained at least a first or second class degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized and chartered university/institution at the time of completion. Applicants 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). Sponsorship: All Graduate Programmes are PRIVATELY-SPONSORED. Therefore applicants seeking sponsorship should have their applications endorsed by their respective sponsors where applicable. Applicants should note that the various fees payable to the University indicated for the various programmes EXCLUDE functional fees, accommodation, books, research and other expenses.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES(https://caes.mak.ac.ug) 1 PGD Environmental Impact Assessment 2 MSc. in Agricultural Extension Education 3 MSc. in Crop Science 4 MSc. in Animal Science 5 MSc. in Agricultural Engineering 6 MSc. in Soil Science 7 Master of Agribusiness Management 8 MSc. in Integrated Watershed Management 9 MSc. in Food Science & Technology 10 MSc. in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems 11 MSc. in Applied Human Nutrition 12 MSc.in Forestry and Biodiversity Management 13 MSc.in Disaster Risk Management 14 Master of Land Use and Regional Development Planning 15 MSc.in Agroforestry and Community Development 16 Master of Geographical Sciences 17 MSc. Food Safety and Quality Management 18 Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources 19 MSc. Agricultural and Applied Economics 20 MSc. in Applied Meteorology
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES(https://chuss.mak.ac.ug) 21 PGD in Gender and Local Economic Development 22 PGD in Social Justice (Nsamizi Inst. of Social Dev’ t) 23 PGD (Guidance and Counselling) 24 M.A. in Human Rights 25 M.A.in Philosophy 26 M.A. in Applied Ethics 27 M.A. in Journalism and Communication 28 M.A. in History 29 M.A. in Music 30 M.A.in Literature 31 M.A. in Religious Studies 32 M.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies 33 M.A. in Religious and Theological Studies (Ggaba & Kinyamasika National Seminaries) 34 M.A. in African Languages 35 M.A. in Linguistics 36 M.A. in Gender Studies 37 M.A. in Public Administration & Management 38 M.A. in Sociology 39 M.A. in International Relations & Diplomatic Studies 40 M.A. in Rural Development 41 Master of Social Work 42 M.Ed. in Educational Psychology 43 Master of Organizational Psychology 44 M.A. in Counselling 45 MSc. in Clinical Psychology 46 M.PhiI/PhD in Social Studies
COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SCIENCES(https://cis.mak.ac.ug) 47 PGD in Information Technology 48 PGD in Computer Science 49 PGD in Data Communication and Software Engineering 50 PGD in Information Systems 51 MSc. in Computer Science 52 Master of Information Technology 53 MSc. in Data Communication and Software Engineering 54 MSc. in Information Systems 55 MSc. in Information Science 56 MSc. in Records and Archives Management
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES(https://bams.mak.ac.ug) 57 PGD in Demography 58 PGD in Statistics 59 M.A. in Economic Policy and Planning 60 M.A. in Economic Policy Management 61 M.A in Economics 62 Master of Business Administration 63 Master of Statistics 64 MSc.in Population and Reproductive Health 65 MSc. in Quantitative Economics 66 Master in Financial Services (Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services) 67 Master in Public Infrastructure Management (Block week Modular)
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND EXTERNAL STUDIES(https://cees.mak.ac.ug) 68 PGD in Education 69 PGD in Medical Education (Mulago Health Tutors College) 70 Master of Education in Curriculum Studies 71 Master of Adult and Community Education 72 Master of Instructional Design and Technology 73 Master of Education,
Tracks: a) Educational Management, b) Foundations of Education, c) Educational Policy and Planning d) Early Childhood Education and Development, e) Language and Literature Education, f) Social Science and Humanities Education, g) Science Education 74 Master of Higher Education,
Tracks: a) Leadership and Management b) Teaching and Learning c) Research and Innovation
SCHOOL OF LAW(https://law.mak.ac.ug) 75 Master of Laws
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES(https://chs.mak.ac.ug) 76 M. Med: Internal Medicine 77 M.Med: Family Medicine 78 M.Med: Emergency Medicine 79 M.Med: Neurosurgery 80 M.Med: Microbiology 81 M.Med: Ophthalmology 82 M.Med: Paediatrics and Child Health 83 M.Med: Pathology 84 M.Med: Psychiatry 85 M.Med: Radiology 86 M.Med: Ear, Nose &Throat 87 M.Med: Surgery 88 M.Med: Obstetrics & Gynaecology 89 M.Med: Anaesthesia 90 M.Med: Orthopaedics 91 MSc. in Medical Illustration 92 MSc. in Human Anatomy 93 MSc. in Pharmacology 94 MSc. in Physiology 95 MSc. in Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics 96 MSc. in Immunology and Clinical Microbiology 97 MSc. in Pharmaceuticals and Health Supplies Mgt 98 MSc. in Pharmacognosy 99 MSc.in Health Professions Education (Distance) 100 MSc.in Biostatistics 101 Master of Nursing (Midwifery & Women’s Health) 102 Master of Public Health (Full Time) 103 Master of Public Health (Distance) 104 Master of Health Services Research 105 Master of Public Health Nutrition 106 Master of Public Health Disaster Management 107 Master of Health Sciences in Bioethics 108 Master of Health Informatics 109 Master of Dentistry (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery) 110 Master of Public Health Monitoring and Evaluation 111 Master of Science in Bioinformatics 112 MSc.in Palliative Care (Tenable at the Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa
COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES(https://cns.mak.ac.ug) 113 MSc. in Physics 114 MSc. in Chemistry 115. MSc. in Botany
Tracks: a) Molecular Biology & Genetics b) Natural Resources Ecology & Conservation c) Plant Taxonomy & Biosystematics d) Microbiology & Plant Pathology e) Plant Physiology 116 MSc. in Zoology
Tracks: a) Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences b) Entomology c) Parasitology d) Wildlife Ecology and Management 117 MSc. in Geology 118 MSc. in Biochemistry 119 MSc.in Petroleum Geosciences 120 MSc. Mathematics 121 MSc. Applied Mathematics
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, DESIGN, ART AND TECHNOLOGY(https://cedat.mak.ac.ug) 122 PGD in Construction Project Management 123 PGD in Urban Planning and Design 124 MSc. in Mechanical Engineering 125 Master of Architecture 126 MSc. in Renewable Energy 127 MSc. in Technology Innovation and Industrial Development 128 MSc. in Civil Engineering 129 MSc. in Urban Planning & Design 130 MSc. in Geo-Information Science and Technology 131 MSc. in Power Systems Engineering 132 MSc. in Telecommunication Engineering 133 MSc. in Construction Management 134 M.A. in Fine Art
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, ANIMAL RESOURCES AND BIOSECURITY(https://covab.mak.ac.ug) 135 PGD in Livestock Development Planning & Management 136 Master of Veterinary Medicine (Food Animal Health & Production) 137 MSc. in Molecular Biology 138 MSc. in Veterinary Pathology 139 Master of Veterinary Preventive Medicine 140 Master of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences and Management 141 MSc.in International Infectious Diseases Management 142 MSc.in Wildlife Health and Management.
Tracks: a) Wildlife Clinical Medicine b) Wildlife Resource Management c) Aquatic Health Management 143 MSc.in Livestock Development and Management Tracks: a) Livestock Sector Planning and Management b) Animal Product Processing, Entrepreneurship and Safety
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL(https://mubs.mak.ac.ug) 144 Master of Business Administration 145 MSc. in Accounting and Finance 146 MSc. in Marketing 147 Master of Human Resource Management 148 MSc. in Procurement & Supply Chain Management 149 MSc. in Leadership and Governance 150 MSc. in Entrepreneurship 151 M.A. in Economic Policy Management 152 Master of International Business 153 Master of Hospitality and Tourism Management 154 Master of Business Administration (Modular) 155 MSc. in Banking & Investment Management 156 Master of Energy Economics and Governance
PHD DEGREES BY RESEARCH ONLY:
All Colleges offer PhD degrees by Research. Applicants for PhD by research should have a Master’s degree in a field relevant to their area of further studies. Applicants will be required to submit on-line applications their applications on line any time in Room 410, Level 4 with a synopsis. For further information, please visit our website http://rgt.mak.ac.ug check on applying.
DURATION OF PROGRAMMES
Postgraduate Diplomas – One Academic Year
Masters degrees (full time) – Two Academic Years
Masters degrees (part time) – Three – Four Academic Years
Masters of Medicine – Three Academic Years
Master of Public Health (Day) – Two Academic Years
Master of Public Health (Distance) – Three to Five Academic Years
PhD (Provisional Admission) – One Academic Year (Maximum)
PhD (Full Admission) – Three Academic Years
PhD/MD/LLD (full time) – Three Academic Years
PhD/MD/LLD (part time) – Five Academic Years
Application Procedure
Visit the Makerere University’s Admissions URL https://admissions.mak.ac.ug and generate a Payment Reference Number (PRN) by following the guide below.
2. Sign up using full name, e-mail and Mobile No. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
3. A password will be sent to both your e-mail and mobile number.
4. The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
5. To fill a form the appl icant clicks on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate scheme i.e. Postgraduate and Taught PhD or PhD Research
6. Obtain a payment advice slip by clicking on “Pay for Form” button7. Make a payment at any of the following Banks:
(a) Stanbic
(b) Post Bank
(c) Centenary Bank
(d) DFCU Bank
(e) UBA Bank
8. Print 2 copies of the filled biodata form and attach 2 certified copies of your academic documents, 2 copies of all other relevant academic documents, 2 passport photos and the three referees’ letters of recommendation.
9. Submit in office No. 307; level 3 Senate Building Or email scanned copies of the mentioned documents to drgt(@)rgt.mak.ac.ug.
PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A PAYMENT REFERENCE NUMBER FOR PAYMENT OF APPLICATION FEES
i) Go the payment reference site: https//:payments.mak.ac.ug
ii) Fill in your name;
iii) Fill in your email;
iv) Fill in your telephone number – Go to the next
v) Click on the option number;
vi) Application fee = Ugx 50,000 (East African applicants) or UGX 151,500 (International Applicants)
vii) the pay reference number
viii) Go to the Bank and payFor foreign applicants, application fees can be transferred either by EFT or any other means in UGX to a designated URA collection account in Bank of Uganda as follows:
10. Strictly observe the closing date of Friday, 28th May, 2021.
11. All Applicants for Master of Laws (LLM) will do a Graduate Admission Test (GAT) consisting of an oral Interview and written test on dates and other requirements to be communicated by the School.
12. All Applicants for Master of Business Administration (College of Business and Management Sciences and Makerere University Business School) will do a GMAT test on dates to be communicated by College of Business and Management Sciences and Makerere University Business School respectively.
13. In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants for Master of Public Infrastructure Management (MPIM) must have “Proven professional experience of at least 2 years at managerial/supervisory level or policy-decision making position in a government, parastatal organ,international organisation or non-governmental organisation” Applicants should attach a 2- page short CV and referee recommendations.
14. Detailed information about the Programmes’ admission requirements, content and regulations can be obtained from College Websites or contact the Principals/College Registrars of the respective Colleges and Schools.
Further details including tuition fees can be found in the attached document below.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists of candidates admitted under the Talented Sports Men & Women, Disability and District Quota Schemes with Government sponsorship 2026/27 Academic Year including appeals and remarked cases.
Other admission lists released include A-Level Applicants with Ugandan and those with Foreign Qualifications, Diploma in Performing Arts, Mature-Age Entry and Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL Batch 2) for the Academic Year 2026/2027 under self sponsorship.
Makerere University has officially launched its Strategic Plan 2025-2030, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities.
The launch brought together senior government officials, university leadership, and development planners, including the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, and a representative from the National Planning Authority (NPA), alongside the University Vice Chancellor.
Hon. Henry Musasizi unveils the Makerere University Strategic Plan (2025-2030).
A Vision Anchored in National Transformation
Speaking at the launch, the Vice Chancellor underscored the University’s ambition to significantly expand graduate training and strengthen its contribution to national development. He noted that the institution is targeting a return to pre-COVID enrolment levels and a substantial increase in postgraduate numbers by 2030, with a focus on producing highly skilled graduates, innovators, and researchers.
He emphasized that the Strategic Plan positions the University as a key driver of Uganda’s transformation through knowledge generation, innovation, and entrepreneurship, aligned with national priorities.
“The staffing distribution is shown here. Under the approved establishment, we intended to have 419 Professors, but we currently have only 75. We planned for 473 Associate Professors, but currently have only 144. This clearly demonstrates that we still have considerable room for growth in strengthening our academic staff profile,” the VC said.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
The VC appreciated researchers and research centres, that continue to attract substantial research funding. He highlighted the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and the Makerere University Walter Reed Project which attracted approximately US$70 million in international research funding into Uganda.
“When you combine the grants won by all our researchers through competitive international funding, the total exceeds US$200 million,” he said.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, described the Strategic Plan as more than an institutional roadmap, calling it “a public covenant with the people of Uganda.”
She noted that the Plan marks “the launch of Makerere University’s next chapter,” adding that decisions taken over the next five years will shape not only the future of the institution, but also Uganda’s development trajectory through graduates, research, innovations, and leadership.
Dr. Lorna Magara.
Dr. Magara emphasized Makerere’s unique national role as Uganda’s premier public university, entrusted with public resources and public confidence.
“Every investment made in Makerere must produce measurable value for the people of Uganda,” she said, underscoring the need for accountability, integrity, and impact.
Ambitious Targets for Transformation
The Council Chairperson and the Vice chancellor outlined bold performance targets under the Strategic Plan, including doubling postgraduate enrolment, increasing STEM enrolment from 30% to 55%, improving PhD completion rates from 10% to 35%, and more than doubling peer-reviewed research output, alongside a significant rise in patents and innovations.
Dr. Magara stressed that these targets are not aspirations alone but binding commitments against which institutional performance will be measured.
Hon. Henry Musasizi (3rd R) and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2rd L) display an autographed dummy of the signed Strategic Plan as L-R: Hon. Kadondi Gracious, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Rt. Hon. Daniel Kidega, Dr. Lorna Magara, H.E. Mubiru John Bosco and Prof. Sarah Ssali witness.
“Ambition is precisely what this moment demands. A strategic plan is not measured by the elegance of its language, but by the lives it transforms,” she said.
Call for Stronger Governance and Legal Reform
Dr. Magara also highlighted the need for reform of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Cap. 262, noting that the current legal framework has not kept pace with the evolving realities of university governance and innovation.
She called on Government and Parliament to support a timely review of the Act to enable universities to better optimise knowledge systems, productive assets, and innovation capacity in support of national development.
Government Endorsement and Strategic Alignment
Hon. Henry Musasizi commended the University for developing a forward-looking Strategic Plan aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which serves as the foundation for the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
He explained that Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy from about USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion requires accelerated growth driven by productivity gains, innovation, and strong human capital development.
Hon. Henry Musasizi.
“Universities are central actors in national transformation. They are engines of knowledge creation, innovation, and human capital development,” he said.
The Minister stressed that government priorities include strengthening research, promoting industrialization, and ensuring that knowledge generated in universities is translated into practical solutions that support economic growth. He further highlighted the importance of accountability, efficiency, and value for money in public investments in higher education.
Universities as Drivers of the Tenfold Growth Strategy
In his presentation, the Senior Planner at the National Planning Authority, Samuel Kasule, emphasized that the Strategic Plan is firmly anchored in Uganda’s comprehensive development framework under Vision 2040 and NDP IV.
He noted that the Tenfold Growth Strategy seeks to accelerate Uganda’s economic growth into double-digit territory, enabling the country to achieve structural transformation and reach upper middle-income status.
Mr. Samuel Kasule.
Kasule underscored that universities play a critical role in this transformation through labour productivity, research, and innovation. He pointed out that priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, minerals, oil and gas, and ICT depend heavily on skilled graduates and strong research ecosystems.
He also highlighted the importance of competency-based education, alignment of academic programmes with national human resource needs, and strengthening postgraduate training and research outputs.
A Shared Commitment to Transformation
Across all speeches, a strong message emerged: universities are central to Uganda’s development agenda and must evolve into research-intensive institutions that directly contribute to economic transformation.
The Strategic Plan 2025-2030 was widely commended for its focus on innovation, industry collaboration, digital transformation, and the commercialization of research outputs.
Government leaders reaffirmed continued support for higher education institutions through research funding, innovation ecosystems, and strengthened university–industry partnerships.
Conclusion
The launch of the Strategic Plan 2030 signals a renewed commitment to positioning the University as a key partner in Uganda’s development journey. With strong alignment to national priorities, the Plan is expected to accelerate research, innovation, and skills development necessary for achieving Uganda’s long-term economic ambitions. The Strategic Plan may be accessed at: https://mak.ac.ug/about/strategic-plan
Visionary Blueprint to Drive Excellence, Innovation, and National Development.
Kampala, Uganda – July 2, 2026. — Makerere University today officially launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, outlining a bold roadmap for academic excellence, research innovation, and transformative impact on Uganda and the region. The high-profile launch event, held at Makerere University Main Campus, brought together government leaders, university stakeholders, development partners, and academia.
The Chief Guest, Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, presided over the official launch. In his presentation, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas highlighted the University’s past achievements and the new Plan’s strategic vision. “This Strategic Plan builds on our rich legacy while positioning Makerere University as a leader in addressing contemporary challenges through cutting-edge research, quality education, and innovation,” he stated.
The Plan was developed through an inclusive process led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, with input from across the University community. It aligns closely with national development priorities, as affirmed by Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority.
University Council Chairperson Dr Lorna Magara emphasised the Council’s oversight role and commitment: “The University Council is fully committed to providing the strategic leadership and oversight necessary for the successful implementation of this Plan. It will strengthen Makerere’s role as a driver of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and ensure we remain a beacon of excellence in higher education across Africa.”
Development partners, Vice Chancellors from other public universities, college principals, deans, professors, and student representatives attended the event, underscoring broad stakeholder support.
Key Pillars of the Strategic Plan 2026–2030 include enhancing excellence in teaching and learning, advancing research and innovation, strengthening infrastructure and sustainability, promoting inclusivity, and deepening engagement with industry and government. Following the formal proceedings, guests participated in a networking breakfast and media engagement session.
Additional Quotes:
“Makerere University remains Uganda’s flagship institution. This Strategic Plan will further harness our intellectual capital to contribute meaningfully to the National Development Plan and Vision 2040.” — Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
“We are excited to embark on this new strategic journey. With the support of our dedicated staff, students, alumni, and partners, we will achieve even greater heights in the next five years.” — Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University
Makerere University is Uganda’s oldest and largest public university, established in 1922. It is a world-class institution recognised for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and cross-disciplinary innovation. With over 35,000 students and a strong alumni network, Makerere continues to shape leaders and solutions for Africa and beyond.
For more information, contact:
Ms. Eunice Rukundo, Deputy Chief, Public Relations