Connect with us

Law

HURIPEC Launches Report: Institutional Oversight in Crisis & Management of Uganda’s Covid19 Funds

Published

on

The Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), School of Law (SoL), Makerere University launched its report analysing transparency and accountability concerns over the management and oversight of Covid19 funds in Uganda; the report is a result of a one-year research initiative by the centre. Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Uganda was the Chief Guest at the event held on the 26th April, 2023 at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala-Uganda.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Busingye Kabumba, Director – HURIPEC welcomed participants to the launch. He said, ‘this is a special time for HURIPEC as we celebrate 30-years of existence’; he applauded the team headed by Dr. Zahara for the exciting report that is being launched which illustrates cause and effect of corruption as well as the importance of engaging citizens. Dr. Busingye noted that the report comes at a time where we are in the midst of another scandal i.e., the Iron Sheets for Karamoja which were diverted.

Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Deputy Principal-SoL who was the Principal Investigator (PI) of the research presented highlights of the report. She explained that the academic-led research initiative was intended to enhance citizen engagement in promoting transparency and accountability in public expenditure. The initiative was also aimed at stimulating Parliament to oversee the use of public resources in times of crisis. She thanked Open Society, East Africa who funded the research.

Dr. Nampewo said, ‘the report focuses on institutional oversight of both state and non-state actors in management of Covid19 funds focusing on the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public emergencies’. Some of the report findings include:

  • While Uganda has elaborate statutory instruments for oversight, the national response framework for Covid19 dealt with multiple challenges like lack of transparency, ambiguities in procurement to accountability deficits.
  • The rising need for transparency and accountability initiatives for Covid19 funds reflects limitations of institutional mechanisms to make government accountable for use and management of resources for health emergencies.
  • Uganda government’s response to Covid19 has been overshadowed by instances of waste, mismanagement, and blatant corruption.
  • Issues like delayed disbursements, unlawful procurement, political use of monetary and other reliefs, diversion of funds, and information deficits have led many districts to deal of pandemics in their own ways in spite of the many guidelines.

Dr. Nampewo added that lessons from the Covid19 pandemic should be viewed as an opportunity to learn and adopt concrete measures for dealing with health and other related emergencies. Some recommendations from the report include:

  • Establish a Comprehensive Crisis Response Framework by government that helps to identify, assess, control risks and review crisis response mechanisms.
  • Development of simplified set of procurement guidelines for use during crisis.
  • Operationalisation of a Contingencies Fund by government to support a faster and swift response in times of crisis.

In his remarks, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa commended HURIPEC and School of Law for the work that they do in protecting human rights of the people. Hon. Tayebwa who is an alumnus of SoL expressed his happiness to be back and excited to receive the recommendations of the report. The Deputy Speaker applauded the groundbreaking work and noted that this particular report is important because it is a useful contribution when Parliament reviews the Auditor General’s forensic audit of Covid19 expenditure.

Hon. Tayebwa further said, ‘Parliament is ready to work with CSOs, researchers and academicians in understanding national issues better. This is because as observers they are in position to offer critical and objective analysis than executive or legislature who are implementors’. He noted that absence of transparency and accountability by government institutions affects Uganda’s strategy to reach middle income status.

The Deputy Speaker highlighted Section 26 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 as amended which defines establishment of a Contingency Fund (0.5% of National Budget) advising that it should be implemented. This would guard against emergency expenditures which are abused. He also called for value-for-money audits beside the process audits which are undertaken.

Professor Henry Alinaitwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Finance & Administration, Makerere University represented the Vice Chancellor; he thanked the Deputy Speaker for making the time to attend the launch. He thanked HURIPEC and SoL for the work that they do which keeps the Makerere University flag high and offer solutions to national development challenges.

A panel discussion of the report moderated by Professor Joe Oloka-Onyango with panelists Hon. Wandera-Ogalo and Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa was held to review the findings and recommendations of the report.

Some of the issues arising from the panel discussion and contributions from the audience included:

  • Funds will never be enough; however, government commitment is handling priorities is a key consideration
  • Appreciation of the work by HURIPEC in producing the report
  • Question about the powers of the presidency
  • Conflict of interest in the Attorney General serving as advisor to executive and legislature
  • Role of social media and citizen journalism has created visibility for issues affecting the population

The meeting was closed by Professor Ronald Naluwairo, Principal-SoL. He thanked the participants for honoring the invitation by HURIPEC, SoL to attend the launch and for the lively discussion held. He also expressed the pride that SoL and Makerere have in observing the work by Hon. Tayebwa in Parliament as an alumnus of Makerere University and SoL. The Principal also applauded Dr. Zahara and team for the good work in producing the report.

Professor Naluwairo said, ‘beside teaching of the law, the mandate of SoL includes cutting edge research on national issues, this report is an example of our work’. The Principal highlighted the role that SoL plays in convening stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the population including controversial ones. He expressed the commitment of SoL in continuing to provide a civic space for the discourse.

The Report is available for download on the HURIPEC website: www.huripec.mak.ac.ug

Zaam Ssali
Zaam Ssali

General

Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination Results 2026/2027

Published

on

The office of the Academic Registrar has released the results for Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination 2026/2027 held on Saturday 18th April, 2026.

Candidates who scored 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended to the Admissions Committee for consideration. However, the candidates who passed have to submit an application where Bachelor of Laws is among the programme choices in the application system here: https://apply.mak.ac.ug.

Candidate who are not satisfied with their results may appeal within two weeks from the date of the release of results.

Follow the links below for the candidate lists showing results of the categories of candidates respectively:

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Law

School of Law Annual Report 2025

Published

on

Cover page of the School of Law Annual Report for 2025. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

It gives me great pleasure to present the 2025 Annual Report of the Makerere University School of Law (SoL). This report reflects the collective efforts, achievements and resilience of our academic community over the past year as we continued to pursue our vision of becoming Africa’s pre-eminent law school that promotes social justice, the rule of law and development.

At the heart of our mandate is teaching and learning, and throughout 2025 the School remained committed to delivering transformative legal education. Our undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programmes continued to attract highly competitive applicants, reflecting sustained confidence in the quality of legal education offered at the School. During the year, we successfully conducted teaching and examinations across all programmes, strengthened experiential learning through field attachments, mooting competitions, and clinical legal education, and hosted several academic engagements including doctoral colloquia and international collaborations. Our students also excelled in national and international competitions, demonstrating the strength of our academic training and mentorship.

The School also made significant strides in research and publications, which remain central to our mission as a research-led institution. Members of faculty produced important scholarly contributions in leading journals, books and policy publications covering a wide range of fields including human rights, environmental law, constitutional law, taxation, and disability rights. In addition, our research centres secured several grants to support impactful research and community programmes, further strengthening the School’s reputation as a hub for legal scholarship that informs policy and advances justice.

Beyond the classroom and academic scholarship, the School continued to play a vital role in community outreach and engagement. Through initiatives such as the Administrative Law Short-Course for Public Officers, the Public Interest Law Clinic, the Refugee Law Project, the Business Law Clinic and other outreach programmes, our staff and students provided legal aid, capacity building and other legal-related services to communities across Uganda. These initiatives underscore our commitment to ensuring that legal education contributes meaningfully to improving access to justice and empowering vulnerable communities.

The School also remained an important platform for public dialogue, policy engagement and intellectual debate. Throughout the year, we convened and participated in numerous public lectures, policy consultations, conferences and debates addressing critical national and global issues including constitutionalism, human rights, electoral justice, climate change and energy transition. Through these engagements, the School continues to contribute to informed public discourse and evidence-based policy reform.

Equally important has been our continued investment in mentorship and career guidance for students and aspiring legal professionals. In collaboration with the Makerere Law Society and various partners, the School organized career guidance sessions, mentorship programmes and outreach visits to secondary schools aimed at inspiring the next generation of lawyers and exposing students to the diverse opportunities within the legal profession.

These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our academic staff, administrative & support staff, students, and the support from Makerere University Management and Council, alumni and development partners. I extend my sincere appreciation to all who continue to support the work of the School of Law. As we look to the future, the School remains committed to strengthening excellence in teaching, advancing impactful research, deepening community engagement, and nurturing ethical and socially responsive legal professionals who will contribute to the advancement of justice, rule of law, societal transformation and development in Uganda and beyond.

As We Build for the Future

Ronald Naluwairo, PhD
Associate Professor
DEAN

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Law

Pre-Entry Examination for Admission to the Bachelor of Laws for 2026/2027 AY

Published

on

Update 13th April 2026:

The closing date for submitting the completed online Application Forms was extended to Wednesday 15th April, 2026.

The Academic Registrar Makerere University announces that the Pre-Entry Examination for admission to the Bachelor of Laws for 2026/2027 will be held on Saturday 18th April, 2026 from 9:00 a. m. – 12:00 noon.

To be eligible to sit the Pre-Entry Examination for admission to the Bachelor of Laws for 2026/2027, Applicants must possess the minimum admission requirements of the University, and any one of the following specific requirements:

i)   `A’ Level leavers:  Must hold an ‘O’ Level Certificate (UCE) or its equivalent with at least 5 Passes plus ‘A’ Level Certificate (UACE) or its equivalent having obtained a minimum of 13 points (Males) and 12 points (for Females) in any ‘A’ Level combination for both Humanities and Sciences. Candidates who did ‘A’ Level before 2013 should have 15 and 14 points for male and female applicants respectively.

ii)  Diploma Holders: Must possess at least a 2nd Class or Credit Diploma from a recognised institution. Certified Copies of Diploma Transcripts (No Provisional Results) from the Awarding Institutions must be attached to the Application Forms.

iii)  Mature Age Applicants: Must have passed the Makerere University Mature Age Entry Examination (for Bachelor of Laws) for December 14, 2024, and December 13, 2025.

 iv) Degree Holders: Must be graduates in any Discipline from a Chartered University. Certified Copies of Degree Transcripts (No Provisional Results) from the Awarding Institutions must be attached to the Application Forms. (Degree holders are not eligible for government sponsorship)

NOTE

  1. All Applicants wishing to be admitted to the Bachelor of Laws programme offered by Makerere University are required to sit and pass the Pre-entry Examination of Makerere University.
  2. All Applicants interested in government sponsorship must have applied for Bachelor of Laws government (LAW) by filling in the government application form. “A” level / direct entry Applicants interested in private sponsorship for Bachelor of Laws day (LAW), and afternoon (LAA) for 2026/2027 academic year should apply afresh for admission when the Makerere University advert comes out in April 2026.
  3. All Diploma Holders interested in government sponsorship must have applied for Bachelor of Laws by March 13, 2026.
  4. All Degree and Diploma Holders interested in private sponsorship for Bachelor of Laws day (LAW), and afternoon (LAA) must / should have applied by March 13, 2026.
  5. All Applicants who hold diplomas and degrees must present /attach a (pdf format) of a scanned certified copy of the academic transcript. Provisional results shall not be accepted to register for this pre-entry examination.
  6. Applicants should note that admission is based on performance in the pre-entry examination and that there are specific intake capacities for private day, and private afternoon for all categories, namely, ‘A’ level, Diploma Holder, Mature Age, Degree Holder and International Applicants. Details of available slots for each category can be accessed at the university website.
  7. All Applicants must attach a pdf format of scanned copies of their original academic documents, original identification documents (“A” level former school IDs, the rest should have valid IDs), and the most recent coloured passport size photograph with a white background as shall be specified on the online application portal.
  8. Each Applicant must without fail avail his/her e-mail address and an active mobile phone number that will be used to reach out to her/him after the submission of his/her application. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check with the e-mail address/mobile phone number availed/application account (portal) for any future communication/information about their application(s).

Do not give the contact information of other persons who help you to apply.

  1. All Applicants with visual impairment are advised to come with laptops installed with a computer brail programme which they will use to write/sit for their pre – entry examination. The Applicants will be directed to their allocated examination venue from the Examination Coordination Venue (LLT 1A) COCIS BLOCK B when they report.

Please note the following.

  • Cases of IMPERSONATION, FALSIFICATION OF INFORMATION / DOCUMENTS, FRAUDULENT ACCESS OR GIVING FALSE/INCOMPLETE INFORMATION, whenever discovered, either at sitting examination/s, at registration or afterwards, will lead to AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION OF RESULTS, ADMISSION, REVOCATION OF AWARD where applicable and prosecution in the Courts Of Law.
  • All Applicants SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED to present/use any kind of/type of SMART GADGETS (Mobile phones, scientific calculators, smart watches) in the examination venue(s) and during the duration of the examination. Any applicant found with any type/kind of SMART GADGET shall have his/her examination automatically cancelled and/or will lead to the automatic cancellation of his / her results.
  • All applicants sitting this examination shall be required to present a most recent coloured passport size photograph with a white background.

1- HOW TO APPLY

Application is online for all applicants.

  • Other relevant information can be obtained from undergraduate mature age office, level 5, Room 505, Senate Building, Makerere University or can be accessed from https://see.mak.ac.ug/ and/or send an e-mail to see@mak.ac.ug
  • A non-refundable application fee of UGX 110,000/= for Ugandans, East Africans, and refugee applicants or USD $75 or equivalent for international applicants, plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.
  • All applications shall be made online on https://see.mak.ac.ug. The online application portal user guide is provided below.

2- MAKERERE UNIVERSITY ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL USER GUIDE

Applicants should access the Institution’s Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination Applications URL: https://see.mak.ac.ug/

Signup using your official full name, e-mail and Mobile No.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting birth certificate and academic documents for your application to be considered valid. If you changed your name (s) please go to Senate Building Office 505 with a Deed Poll supporting the name change.

An OTP (One Time 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.

After signing up, proceed to generate a Payment Reference Number (PRN) before filling out the application form.

Generating Payment Reference Number (PRN) and Payment

Generate PRN: After signing up follow instructions to obtain your Payment Reference Number (PRN).

Payment: Make the required payment through your mobile money or chosen bank using the PRN.

To pay via the bank.

Present your PRN

To pay via Mobile Money.

Pay with Airtel Money

  • Dial *185#, then select:
  • Option 4: Pay Bill
  • Option 7: URA
  • Option 1: Pay Registered

Enter the PRN/PTN number you wish to pay for and follow prompts.

Pay with MTN Mobile Money

  • Dial *165#, then select:
  • Option 4: Payments
  • Option 5: Fees and Taxes
  • Option 1: URA
  • Option 1: With PRN Payments

Please enter your payment registration number (PRN) then follow prompts.

The closing date for submitting the completed online Application Forms was extended to Wednesday 15th April, 2026.

The Pre-Entry Examination shall cover the following areas:

  • Reading and Comprehension Skills
  • Language Skills
  • Numerical Skills and Logic
  • General Knowledge
  • Analytical Writing Skills

Further details may be obtained by sending e-mail to see@mak.ac.ug

NB: THERE IS NO COACHING FOR THIS EXAMINATION. DO NOT WASTE MONEY ON THOSE WHO ADVERTISE THEMSELVES AS OFFERING PREPARATION MATERIALS AND BRIEFINGS

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending