Update 31^st March 2026: Application Deadline Extended to Thursday 30^th April 2026

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications for admission to Graduate Programmes (Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctoral Degree Programmes) for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

Applicants should have obtained at least a first or second class degree (or its equivalent) from a Chartered University at the time of completion. Applicants should also possess a Uganda Certificate of Education (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (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.

The available programmes including the tuition fees applicable can be found in the following document:

Procedure of Submitting an Application:

1. Visit the Makerere University’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug
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 (all form sections must be filled) the applicant clicks on the APPLY NOW button (for first time applicants) or MY PORTAL button (for renewal of application) displayed on the appropriate scheme i.e. Taught PhDs, Masters & Postgrad Diplomas OR PhD by Research.
6. All academic transcripts/certificates and passport photos should be scanned and uploaded on the system.
7. You can access the referees’ letter by following the following link: https://dgt.mak.ac.ug/resources/referees-letter-of-recommendation-for-admission-to-a-graduate-programme/ These should be filled, scanned and uploaded.
8. Obtain a payment reference number [PRN] by clicking on “Pay for Form” button
9. Make the following payments at any of the banks used by URA
   i) Application fee = UGX 50,000 (East African applicants) or UGX 151,500 (International Applicants)
   Account Name: UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY COLLECTIONS
   Account No: 003410158000002
   For INTERNATIONAL 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:
   Swift Code: UGBAUGKAU
   Bank Name: BANK OF UGANDA
   Bank Address: KAMPALA, UGANDA
   Currency: UGANDA SHILLINGS
10. Strictly observe the closing date on 30^th April 2026.
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. For further information regarding admission requirements for the specific
    programmes, visit our website https://dgt.mak.ac.ug.

The Makerere University community has with great sadness received the news of the passing on of our long serving Dean of Students, Father figure and Mentor to thousands of our alumni, Pastor John Ekudu. Please accept our sincerest condolences.

If loyal and distinguished service had a face, that face would be Pastor John Ekudu. A concurrent graduate of the Bachelor of Science (Botany/Zoology) and Diploma of Education of Makerere University in 1974, he, like many in that turbulent era, could have chosen to flee, but he didn’t.

Instead, he chose to stay, and along with many fresh graduates and senior staff, graciously accepted the title of “economic war lecturers/professors”, whose selflessness kept Makerere’s gates open during unpredictable times. In 1982 he was appointed Warden of Kabanyolo Hostel and thereafter Warden of University Hall in 1989, where he was promoted to the rank of Senior Warden.

In 1995 he was promoted to Dean of Students and whereas this would marked the beginning of a time to seat back and relax, it turned out to be a baptism of fire. The introduction of private sponsorship and cost-sharing which dealt away with “boom” incensed students. And then came the nightmare serial killings of students in 1996 and 1997.  Dealing with strikes became his daily bread but still he chose to stay.

But he did more than stay. He thrived, improving students’ meals with the introduction of much-needed animal protein, not to mention the daily dose of bread and rice. Pastor Ekudu was the true embodiment of taking the stumbling blocks that life throws at you and trusting God to help you turn them into stepping stones.

We therefore stand with the family during this trying time and pray that the God Almighty, who knows the plans He has for each and every one of us will continue to comfort and strengthen you.

May Pastor John M. Ekudu-Adoku’s soul rest in eternal peace.

_{By Moses Lutaaya}

Kampala, Uganda — 27^th March 2026: Makerere University has intensified its push toward digital transformation in graduate education with the implementation of the Research Information Management System (RIMS), a platform expected to end supervision delays, enhance transparency, close long-standing gaps, and boost research excellence.

Leading this shift, the Director of Graduate Training at Makerere University, Prof. Julius Kikooma, emphasized that the initiative is part of ongoing collaboration with academic units.

“Our visit to the Institute of Gender and Development Studies is part of continuous engagement to strengthen graduate training,” Prof. Kikooma said. “RIMS is not just about technology—it is about improving how students and supervisors work together, how progress is tracked, and how the university ensures quality and timely completion.”

He noted that the university is already making strides in graduate output, citing a recent milestone of over 200 PhD graduates, with 40 percent female representation—an indicator of progress toward gender equity.

“We want to push that to 50 percent,” he said. “RIMS will help us get there by providing data, improving coordination, and addressing inefficiencies in supervision and monitoring.”

Prof. Kikooma emphasized that the system will also support the university’s broader goals, including internationalization and improved research productivity, by streamlining application, supervision, and reporting processes.

“With digitization now fully underway, we cannot go back,” he said. “RIMS will allow supervisors to track student performance in real time, and management will be able to access accurate reports at the click of a button.”

He added that adoption of the system is mandatory for all academic staff, noting that it will become a key tool for measuring performance and institutional accountability.

Building on this vision, Prof. Ruth Nsibirano, Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, highlighted how RIMS will directly address supervision gaps that have historically affected graduate completion.

“I’m very certain RIMS is going to bridge the gap between supervisors and supervisees,” she said. “It will ensure constant updates, structured engagement, and clear records of progress for every student.”

Prof. Nsibirano explained that one of the major challenges in the past has been the lack of visibility in supervision, where both students and supervisors operated without clear documentation of their interactions.

“Knowledge of what was happening was often missing because supervisors and students remained distant,” she said. “Now, there will be records showing when supervision took place, what was discussed, and who has not been responsive.”

She noted that this transparency will significantly improve efficiency and reduce delays on both sides.

“Both students and supervisors will know that their work is being tracked,” she said. “This awareness alone will improve accountability and reduce unnecessary delays.”

However, she cautioned that while RIMS will strengthen supervision systems, financial challenges facing graduate students remain a critical issue.

“We must also address the reality of limited financial support,” she said. “Even with strong systems, students still need resources to complete their studies.”

Prof. Nsibirano expressed confidence that both staff and students are ready to adopt the digital platform, noting that familiarity with technology is no longer a major barrier.

At the operational level, Dr. Julius Mugisa, Coordinator of Graduate Studies at the Institute, underscored the practical impact RIMS will have on day-to-day supervision.

“In fact, it is a very good system. It will facilitate easy supervision,” Dr. Mugisa said. “Previously, you could send comments to a student and wait five weeks without a response. Now, the system will clearly show who is delaying and who is not.”

He emphasized that the transparency of RIMS will eliminate guesswork and misunderstandings by ensuring that all supervision activities are recorded and accessible.

“There will be clear evidence of engagement—comments, timelines, and responses,” he said. “This removes the blame game and helps everyone focus on progress.”

Dr. Mugisa dismissed concerns that increased monitoring might intimidate supervisors, instead framing it as a positive step toward professionalism.

“We are here to do our work for the university,” he said. “The system is not about punishment—it is about improving efficiency and ensuring that responsibilities are fulfilled.”

He added that the accountability introduced by RIMS will encourage timely feedback and active participation from both supervisors and students.

“When you know the system is tracking progress, it helps you stay on course,” he said. “Monitoring is important, and it benefits everyone.”

Dr. Mugisa also noted that improved supervision and faster feedback could enhance Makerere University’s attractiveness to prospective graduate students.

“Students want assurance that their work will be reviewed on time,” he said. “With RIMS, that confidence will increase, and more students will be encouraged to enroll.”

As Makerere University continues to implement RIMS across its academic units, leaders believe the system will mark a turning point in graduate education—driving efficiency, strengthening accountability, closing supervision gaps, and positioning the institution as a leader in research excellence in Africa.