Dean of Students-Mrs. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli (4th R), Head, International Office-Ms. Martha Muwanguzi (4th L), Student Guild Representative-Hon. Ahmed Abdirahman (3rd L) and International Students who attended the orientation on 18th March 2021 at CTF2, Makerere University.
Makerere University on Thursday 18th March, 2021 held an orientation meeting for International Students in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) at the College of Business and Management Sciences. Hosted by the Head, International Office, Ms. Martha Muwanguzi, the event was presided over by Acting (Ag.) Dean of Students, Mrs. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli.
According to the latest Self-Assessment report, Makerere University is home to students from over 40 nationalities; up from 34 in 2020. At 17.8%, students from South Sudan make up the largest percentage of the University’s 895 international student population. The College of Health Sciences (CHS) is a popular choice for international students, who make up 9% of the student population therein.
This is followed by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) with 4% of its student population being international. The Colleges of; Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT), Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Natural Sciences (CoNAS) and Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) each have 3% of their student populations being international .
The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) has 2% of its student population as international, while the Colleges of; Education and External Studies (CEES) and Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) as well as the School of Law have 1% international student population.
Welcoming the students, Mrs. Martha Muwanguzi said that they would not only be rewarded with the best education and world class qualifications, but will also be enriched with the cultural diversity and experience.
Mr. Arthur Opio-DICTS (L) briefs students on Mak Online Services as Mrs. Martha Muwanguzi (2nd L), Mrs. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli (2nd R) and Hon. Ahmed Abdirahman (R) listen.
“You are taking on a special challenge of studying in a foreign country with a foreign culture. This takes courage and a great deal of commitment! These are of course anxious times for all of us and particularly for you as international students. We are keenly aware of the hardships many of you have had to overcome in order to get where you are today and applaud the determination that you have shown.” she commended.
The Head, International Office further informed the students that Makerere in addition to students receives international scholars and researchers. “Many of our successful research projects are based on international collaborations. Your presence in our programmes and activities strengthens internationalization of our university. We see internationalization as both an opportunity and a mark of quality.”
She pledged together with the Office of the Dean of Students and all Administrative Units to accord them all the necessary support, respond to their concerns as and when they arise, and provide up-to-date information on various situations.
“Do not be quiet or shy if you are facing hardships. We are here to help you. Always observe the health precautions of wearing your face mask, sanitizing your hands regularly and observing social distance. Together, we will emerge stronger beyond the pandemic.” she concluded.
The students were also tipped on how to create their own email addresses using the self-service portal https://sso.mak.ac.ug by Mr. Arthur Opio who represented the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS). With a personal University email, students are able to sign up on the Makerere University E-Learning Environment (MUELE) and access other services.
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.