Makerere University will host the 3^rd edition of the Sara Nyendwoha Ntiro Memorial Lecture in honor of a gallant alumna whose groundbreaking legacy as Uganda’s first female graduate continues to inspire generations of women in higher education across Africa and beyond.

The Inaugural Edition was held on 1^st December 2022 as part of Makerere University‘s centennial celebrations. The lecture was delivered by another distinguished alumna and passionate advocate for women’s rights, the Late Hon. Joyce Mpanga. Her moving lecture unpacked the topic Bold Ideas Need System Support to Thrive; The Case of Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro, highlighting how Ntiro’s determination to pursue education required institutional backing to achieve lasting impact.

The Second Edition was held on 31^st August 2023 and graced by Her Royal Highness, Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, Queen of Buganda, as the distinguished keynote speaker.

The Nnabagereka’s lecture was based on the theme Catalyzing Change: Women as Pillars of Society. Therein, she appropriately stated that “An empowered woman is a better person, mother, worker, and citizen capable of taking advantage of opportunities to contribute, lead, make change, have her voice heard and skills employed.”

This year’s edition of the Lecture will be held on the eve of International Women’s Day, Friday 7^th March 2025, in the Makerere University School of Public Health Auditorium starting at 2:00PM. The Third Edition will focus on the theme Pioneering Change and Transforming Institutions, aptly reflecting Sarah Ntiro’s legacy as a transformative figure who broke institutional barriers and pioneered change in Uganda’s educational landscape.

Sarah Ntiro’s own life embodied this year’s theme profoundly. As Uganda’s first female graduate who earned her degree from Oxford University in 1951, she returned home to transform educational institutions by advocating for girls’ education and challenging exclusionary systems.

Her work as an educator, politician, and advocate exemplifies how pioneering individuals can reshape institutions to become more inclusive and equitable. This year’s theme honors her approach to institutional transformation—creating sustainable change through strategic leadership, advocacy, and persistence.

To set the tone for the day’s discussion will be a distinguished speaker who, like Ntiro, pioneered change and transformation as the first female Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the first female Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).

“Sarah Ntiro’s legacy reminds us that true transformation requires both pioneering individuals and responsive institutions. In Ms. Allen Kagina, we see this dual impact—a leader who not only broke barriers but reshaped organizational cultures. Our discussion will explore how women leaders like Ntiro and Kagina don’t merely occupy positions but fundamentally transform the institutions they serve, creating pathways for generations to follow.” Professor Sarah Ssali

Ms. Allen Kagina, an eminent alumna of Makerere, will in her keynote address explore how Ntiro’s trailblazing spirit has influenced her journey of institutional leadership and transformation, unpacking practical strategies for women leaders to effect meaningful change in traditionally male-dominated spaces.

“Transforming institutions isn’t just about being the first woman to enter the room—it’s about ensuring you’re not the last. Like Sarah Ntiro, who understood that true leadership means creating pathways that others can follow, I’ve learned that our greatest legacy lies not in the barriers we break, but in the sustainable systems we build that outlast our tenure. When women lead with both courage and vision, we don’t just change organizations—we redefine what leadership itself can accomplish.” Ms Allen Kagina

The panel discussion will be moderated by Professor Sarah Ssali, Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies. She will be joined by another expert on a panel to examine how Ntiro’s educational philosophy and public service ethos continue to offer valuable lessons for today’s institutional leaders seeking to create more inclusive organizations.

“Makerere University is privileged to welcome home one of our most accomplished alumnae whose career exemplifies the institutional impact Sarah Ntiro envisioned when she championed education as a vehicle for national development. Just like Sarah Ntiro, Allen Kagina has consistently demonstrated how visionary leadership can transform our national institutions. Her groundbreaking work at both URA and UNRA embodies the very essence of this year’s theme—pioneering change that outlasts individual tenure.” Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor

We look forward to hosting you all on this platform that will promote the exchange of ideas and best practices among stakeholders to enhance strategies for greater gender equality in institutional change and transformation—continuing Sarah Ntiro’s vision of education as a pathway to societal transformation.

For updates, follow #SarahNtiroLecture25 on our social media platforms, or email us at advancement@mak.ac.ug

_{By the Program Communication Team}

Seven years after graduating in 2018, Alex still exudes a warm and approachable demeanor. Despite his esteemed position, he carries no air of superiority. He is an accommodating and attentive listener, and our conversation about his journey flowed effortlessly.

“I don’t think I would have pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering if it had not been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University,” Alex Mirugwe recalls.

Alex’s journey was one of purely humble beginnings, began 30 years ago in Kyotera District, where he was the third of six children born to the late Charles Kalimirwa and Margaret Nampija.

His academic path led him to Broadway High School for both O’ and A’ levels, where he studied Physics, Economics, Mathematics, and ICT.

Alex recounts that when his Senior Six results were released, he had scored 17 points, but was uncertain of the following steps since his family could not afford his university tuition.

“If it hadn’t been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, my family would have struggled to raise my tuition,” he notes.

Faced with his results, Alex sought all possible opportunities to further his education. As luck would have it, while reading the New Vision Newspaper one day, he saw an advertisement for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

“I applied, got shortlisted, attended interviews, and I succeeded. That is how I gained the opportunity to join Makerere University,” he remarks.

The Program offers scholarships to bright but underprivileged children who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering.

Upon completing his first degree, he received another opportunity from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town to pursue his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Data Science.

After attaining his M.Sc. from the University of Cape Town, he returned to Uganda and began applying for jobs.

“When I returned, I relaxed for only three months, and in the fourth month, when I decided to send out my applications, I secured a job at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) project as a data scientist,” Alex pointed out.

When Alex landed his dream job, it was the perfect opportunity to continue researching something he has always loved; supporting the analysis of HIV data. His dream job exposed him to data from more than 1,600 health facilities across the country.

“It has been an intriguing journey; I am pursuing what I studied. I would advise people to seize postgraduate opportunities because, when I completed my Master’s, I encountered no obstacles in securing a job.” 

For now, he is focused on raising his young family. 

His story is a powerful reminder of the significance of education for all. His journey from a humble village upbringing to a national role has been driven by a profound sense of purpose and a commitment to creating a better world for everyone. 

Alex’s parting words, “Take your studies seriously, and learning never ceases.

“Continue to enhance your academic qualifications. You will transform your story.”

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications for admission to Graduate Programmes (Postgraduate Diplomas,  Masters and Doctoral Degree Programmes) for the 2025/2026 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.  

How to submit your 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://news.mak.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Makerere-Referee-Form-Graduate-Programmes.pdf. 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
10. Application fee = Ugx 50,000 (East African applicants) or  Ugx 151,500 (International Applicants)

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:

Account Name: UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY COLLECTIONS
Account No: 003410158000002
Swift Code: UGBAUGKAU
Bank Name: BANK OF UGANDA
Bank Address: KAMPALA, UGANDA
Currency: UGANDA SHILLINGS
Strictly observe the closing date of Wednesday, 30^th April, 2025

11. 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.

12. All Applicants for Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Counselling Psychology, Master of Organisational Psychology and Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology will be invited for an interview before admission can be made on dates to be communicated by College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR