The Dean MakSPH-Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (L) presents a plaque to Mr. Rudolf Buga (2nd L) as Dr. Esther Buregeya (C), Dr. John C. Ssempebwa (R) and another official witness during Mr. Buga's farewell ceremony held at Piato Restaurant in Kampala on 2nd December 2021.
It was in 1980 when Mr. Rudolf Buga, 65 attained Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology (CMLT) of Makerere University that his dream of becoming a laboratory expert was in sight.
36 years later, he has decided it’s time to take a break. He has decided to hang up his lab coat and concentrate on his retirement after serving the century-old and Uganda’s premier institution-Makerere University as a Chief Technician.
Mr. Buga, started his career at the Central Public Health Laboratories Mulago Hospital National Referral Hospital working then as Technician Grade I.
Mr. Rudolf Buga at his farewell ceremony held at Piato Restaurant in Kampala on Thursday December 2, 2021
He however never thought of ever joining Makerere University but as luck would have it, he inevitably joined Makerere University and out of hard work and utilising capacity building opportunities at his disposal, Mr. Buga rose through the ranks in the first 12 years of employment. This, he said while giving his remarks at a farewell luncheon organized by the Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health of MakSPH on Thursday December 2, 2021.
“I joined Makerere University in 1985 in the department of Parasitology and Microbiology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine then. And It was that department that I could give most of the credit to because it brought me through a lot of training here and there by sending me for further training and that is how I managed to reach the highest level of the technical staff within 12 years,” he said.
A colorful farewell ceremony held at Piato Restaurant in Kampala was fairly attended by MakSPH faculty, students and staff plus Mr. Buga and his family.
Joining MakSPH
In May 1998, following his dedicated service to Makerere University, Mr. Buga was promoted to a position of Chief Technician, the highest rank in laboratory management in Makerere University.
This promotion came with a transfer at the Institute of Public Health, now School of Public Health, a move he says was the best.
He says he has no regrets forever joining Makerere University, since he has been able to uplift himself a Diploma Holder, Bachelor of Science, and Masters in Science all through Makerere University. “I really would like to greatly thank Makerere University for having given me all that,” he says.
When he joined the School of Public Health in 1998, then as an institute of Public Health, Mr. Buga says he had very high hopes of finding a huge lab to manage.
MakSPH leadership led by Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dr. Esther Buregeya, Dr. John C. Ssempebwa joins Mr. Rudolf Buga and his two sons Wochewani Moses, and Andrew Nyorigo to cut cake farewell luncheon at Piato Restaurant in Kampala
“Reaching there, I found the lab was not at the level I expected. And I really wanted to build it up but because of the financial constraints of the University, we were not able to equip it at the level I would have wanted. But with the little we had and with a lot of improvising,” he recalls.
Mr. Buga expressed his heartfelt gratitude for all the good things that he achieved and went through while at the College of Health Sciences, under which MakSPH falls.
“During my stay here in the School of Public Health, I think I have been given the best I expected,” he said.
Kampala, Uganda – 20th January 2026 – Makerere University has postponed its opening date for Semester Two of Academic Year 2025/2026 from the earlier communicated 24th January 2026 to 10th February 2026.
This adjustment is in response to the Ministry of Education and Sports directive to all Schools and Education Institutions to postpone re-opening until 10th February 2026. Consequently, Semester Two at Makerere University will now run from 10th February 2026 until 6th June 2026. Attached is the detailed Calendar for Semester Two 2025/2026.
Confirmed dates for the 76th Graduation Ceremony
Makerere University also wishes to inform the general public that Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony will be held from Tuesday 24th February 2026 to Friday 27th February 2026.
Specifics including the graduation schedules and standard operating procedures for participants will be communicated officially in due course.
Please see downloads for the statement, Ministry directive and revised calendar.
The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African (Non-Egyptian) students who wish to obtain their M.Sc. degree in the programs of Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Basic and Applied Science (BAS), Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), Faculty of International Business and Humanities (FIBH) and Heritage Science (HS).
Please note that interested applicants have to apply through E-JUST’ website (online application system). Applications will only be accepted via E-JUST’s website (online application system).
Interested applicants must complete and submit their application forms before February 15, 2026. The applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail as proof of successful submission of the application.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African and international applicants for the undergraduate under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
Each applicant should:
EITHER
Hold at least a Second Class/Credit (or equivalent classification) Diploma or otherwise as specified in the Diploma Holders’ requirements from a recognised chartered institution, relevant to the programme applied for. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding institutions and one passport size photograph must be submitted to Office 315 level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.
OR
Be a Graduate from a RECOGNISED CHARTERED UNIVERSITY. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions and one Passport size photography MUST be submitted to Office 315, Level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.
N.B. Applicants will be responsible for verification of their academic documents from the awarding Institutions after admission.
Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website.
Diploma Holder applicants who hold class three (3) diploma certificates or Pass Diplomas are not eligible for admission and therefore should not apply, except where stated in the Diploma Holders requirements.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications shall be submitted online using the ACMIS system for all applicants. Diploma/degree holders and internationals will have to submit certified copies of their transcripts and certificates and a passport size photograph to Office 315, Level 3, Senate Building after submitting the application online and payment of application fees.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY WITH EFFECT FROM 5th JANUARY, 2026.
A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE OF SHS.55,000/= FOR UGANDAN AND EAST AFRICAN APPLICANTS OR $76.5 OR EQUIVALENT FOR INTERNATIONALS, (UGX.286,250=) PLUS BANK CHARGEs SHOULD BE PAID IN ANY OF THE BANKS USED BY UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (URA)
CANDIDATES WHO HOLD GRADES X, Y, Z, 7 AND 9 OF ‘O’LEVEL RESULTS SHOULD NOT APPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION.
Signup using full name, e-mail and Mobile Number. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid. If you changed your names please go to Senate Building Office 611 with a deed poll and gazette supporting the name change.
A password will be sent to both your e-mail and mobile number.
The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
To fill a form (all form sections must be filled)the applicant clicks on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the running scheme.
Obtain a pay reference nunber(PRN) after submitting the application.
Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.
MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:
1. Dial *272*6# on Mtn or Airtel
2. Select option 3-Admission
3. Select option 3 Pay Fees
4. Enter reference number obtained from Application portal
5. Details of Application form will be confirmed
6. Enter PIN to confirm payment
The closing date for receiving applications was extended to Friday 27th February, 2026.