L-R: The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, French Ambassador-H.E. Xavier Sticker, Director KAS’s Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa-Mr. Nils Wörmer, UN Women Country Representative-Dr. Paulina Chiwangu and Director, Alliance Française de Kampala-Mr. Patrice Gilles at the opening ceremony of the 5th Kampala Geopolitics Conference on 15th November 2022, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has re-echoed Makerere University‘s commitment towards achieving gender parity.
“The increase of enrollment of female students in University’s undergraduate programs from less than 10 percent 20 years ago to 52% currently is a reflection of the commitment to achieving gender parity. Noting that women constitute 52% of Uganda’s population, we are doing the right thing. We are involved in engagements to improve the number of women in the academia, research and leadership,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe made these remarks during the Opening ceremony of the 5th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium on Tuesday 15th November 2022. Makerere University is hosting the two-day conference (15-16th November 2022) aimed at discussing current geopolitical questions and trends.
“We are making our humble contribution to the promotion of Human Rights and making the world a better place. We will promote the generation of knowledge through research,” he stated.
Acknowledging the fact that the 5th edition of Kampala Geopolitics Conference brings on board 15 panels with over 80 speakers to discuss contemporary issues on health, security, climate change, human rights, gender and environment, the Vice Chancellor said Makerere University is proud to be a pioneer and partner in the Kampala Geopolitics Conference.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University addressing delegates at the Fifth Kampala Geopolitics Conference.
“We value this conference as a major avenue to disseminate our research on major national and global issues. We believe it is our responsibility as a premier African university to avail the space for intellectual discourse on issues that affect the well-being of our country, continent, and humanity,” he remarked.
Speaking at the conference, Paulina Chiwangu, the UN Women Country Representative in Uganda decried the increasing violence that is inflicted on women and girls. She pointed out the burden of teenage pregnancies. According to Paulina Chiwangu, Africa has stalled far for too long in advancing and protecting the rights of women and girls. “We know violence against women is too high, teenage pregnancies are too high, and economically, the gaps between men and women are so wide and we are all losing because women are losing economically.”
“We need to be creative, innovative and to boldly think of our approaches to accelerate inclusive development and this is where we need more young people to engage.We really need young minds; we need you (young people) to be engaged to make Africa a better continent. As UN Women we support the implementation of sustainable development goals,” she stated.
H.E. Xavier Sticker, the Ambassador-Designate of France to Uganda said that the idea of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference came five years ago from one of his predecessors, and the idea was to partner with different stakeholders to debate on issues affecting humanity in general.
“We are here to build a common ground to identify what kind of action we can take together. We are here to listen to you and pass on your conclusions onwards in order to have that global discussion for global solutions to be found,” he said.
Nils Wörmer, the Director of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Regional Program Security Dailogue for East Africa said that although the debate is of high quality on different topics, there is need to reach as many interested people as possible and discuss a spectrum of solutions.
“We are confident that together we shall make this year’s event a complete success like the previous events,” he said.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.
Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.
He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.
Political and Public Service Career
Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.
He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:
Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
Minister of Finance
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister of Health
Minister without Portfolio
Minister of Defence
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.
From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.
Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.
Significance for Makerere
As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.
University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga confers a Doctorate Degree upon one of the graduands during the 76th Graduation Ceremony.
His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.
Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.
Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 Academic Year for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.
Each applicant should:
Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2025, 2024 and 2023 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.
Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Monday 20th April 2026.
A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.
Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Levelresults should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.
Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your 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.
A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.
The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.
Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority
MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:
Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel
Select option 3-Admission
Select option 3-Pay Fees
Enter reference number obtained from Application portal
Details of Application form will be confirmed
Enter PIN to confirm payment
The closing date for receiving applications shall be28th May 2026.
WARNING:
Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission. The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office. Those who buy them do so at their own risk.
The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.
Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.