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Academic Registrar’s Remarks at Freshers’ Orientation 2023/24

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REMARKS BY PROFESSOR BUYINZA MUKADASI
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR
AT THE ORIENTATION CEREMONY OF FRESHER STUDENTS,
ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024
AT THE FREEDOM SQUARE, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY, KAMPALA
ON MONDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2023

Members of University Council
Members of University Management Principals, Deans and Directors Academic, Administrative and Support Staff of the University
Students
Ladies and Gentlemen

Dear Students; Class of 2023/2024

We are delighted that you have chosen Makerere University as you enter the next phase of your journey of intellectual growth, self-discovery and personal development. You have chosen very well! Your energy and excitement will enrich our vibrant campus life for the next years.

I wish to take this enviable moment and singular privilege to welcome you to Makerere University. It is an occasion that deserves celebration. What else can an Academic Registrar do after receiving 20,000 Undergraduate and Graduate students who excelled and were approved for admission by the University Senate of Makerere; famed to be one of the strictest in the world.

You are joining a 100-year old University with a long history and well-entrenched culture and tradition of academic excellence and of nurturing exceptional intellectual talent of young people like you. You are joining us at a time when higher education is undergoing rapid and dramatic transformation. We live in an era when knowledge is growing in importance in addressing the world’s most pressing problems, when technology promises both wondrous possibilities and profound dislocations, when global forces increasingly shape our lives and work, when traditional intellectual fields are shifting and converging, and when public expectations and demands of higher education are intensifying.

So, today you are making your first step in a journey of several years. The time and place where this transformative journey begins is known. It is today and at Makerere University. The end however will only be determined by you.

To set out on a journey, you must know the destination, the means of getting there and the resources you need to get there. In the case of an academic journey the destination is graduation while time, commitment and attitude form the other requirements.

I know most of you are not at ease. You are preoccupied with the idea of being in an unfamiliar environment. For most of you, this might be the first time you are away from your family. You must be wondering about what it is like to be away from the familiar and predictable life or comfort zone at home. However you are not the only ones who have left familiar territory to join university.

We want you to achieve your academic and personal potential, to develop networks of friends, new interests and life skills. In order to achieve this we recommend that you work hard; find time to relax; and make use of the support services that are available to you. It is therefore critically important that you take time to familiarize yourself with the materials in this manual.

We pledge to create an intellectually and socially vibrant environment, provide the resources, focused leadership for you to achieve your dreams. In you, I see vibrant young people with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I hope that you will use the energy you have to your best for the benefit of yourselves and humanity. We want you to thrive and succeed here, academically, socially and personally.

As you can see, there are numerous opportunities at the university. These come in many forms; They may come in the form of sports and games, areas that develop talent like music and drama, professional circles where you interact with your future employers, social networks with the potential of providing a future spouse, spiritual growth and even honing your acumen in student politics. This however is easier said than accomplished. Like mines in a war zone, university life is littered with challenges that will make your dream difficult to realise.

University life has excess freedom which opens doors to sweet life. For the first time you have the opportunity to date and go out without the watchful eyes of your wife/husband or older siblings. But let me caution that this takes time and money. So strike a balance between social and academic life.

Life is more materialistic today than during our time. The products are also varied and more tempting. They range from sophisticated electrical appliances, drinks with strange colours catchy names, to fancy clothes and even gambling activities. The temptations will push your financial demands to the limit and sometimes even tempt you to divert your fees. Careful and prudent utilization of finances is your only way out.

Modern lifestyle if not handled carefully, could easily open doors to promiscuity whose outcome could be disastrous. The individual freedom coupled with the absence of someone to watch over you as well as unfamiliarity with the new environment may lead to confusion normally manifested in the form of failure to register for the right courses, missing classes, inability to keep timelines and so forth.

Then there is the issue of peer pressure, bad influence. Seek counsel, choose good company.

When one gets overwhelmed by all the challenges narrated above they become easy prey for drug abuse, sexual misconduct, radicalization and recruitment into devious groups. At the moment this is the biggest threat to the completion of your journey at Makerere University.

Finally, I wish you an exciting, rewarding, challenging and stimulating time at this University, which will be the start of what I hope will be a lifelong experience as members of Makerere University. However, just like in any other urban city take great care of your personal security while in Kampala; we shall play our part.

We offer you our very best wishes for every success during your time at Makerere University and we look forward to seeing your smiling faces during our daily walks on our beautiful campus! “We Build For the Future”.


Professor Buyinza Mukadasi (PhD)
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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Undergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027

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Students in discussion groups at Freedom Square.

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists of candidates admitted under the Talented Sports Men & Women, Disability and District Quota Schemes with Government sponsorship 2026/27 Academic Year including appeals and remarked cases.

Other admission lists released include A-Level Applicants with Ugandan and those with Foreign Qualifications, Diploma in Performing Arts, Mature-Age Entry and Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL Batch 2) for the Academic Year 2026/2027 under self sponsorship.

The cut-off points points can be accessed by following the link: https://mak.ac.ug/study-mak/cut-points

Kindly follow the links below to access the lists:-

Update 10th August 2026

Update 3rd August 2026

Update 27th July 2026

Update 3rd July 2026

International & East African Applicants

Mop-up Lists

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Makerere University Hosts Landmark East African Universities Debate Championships 2026

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Moment of Truth! Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba (Centre) presents a trophy to the winning team as DVCAA-Prof. Sarah Ssali, 92nd Vice Guild President-H.E. John Bosco Mubiru and other officials witness on 31st July 2026. East African Universities Debate Championships 2026 (EAUDC ZAABU) Closing Ceremony, 31st July 2026, Main Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Makerere University has once again cemented its place as a regional leader in academic excellence after successfully hosting the East African Universities Debate Championships (EAUDC) 2026, welcoming the continent’s brightest young minds for a week of intellectual competition, cultural exchange, and leadership development.

Held from 26th July to 1st August 2026, the championship brought together more than 200 student debaters, adjudicators and delegates from 25 universities across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and other invited institutions, transforming the Ivory Tower into East Africa’s premier arena for ideas, innovation and public discourse.

Impeccable! A participant from South Sudan takes to the podium. East African Universities Debate Championships 2026 (EAUDC ZAABU) Closing Ceremony, 31st July 2026, Main Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Impeccable! A participant from South Sudan takes to the podium.

The week-long tournament featured rigorous British Parliamentary debate rounds, public speaking competitions, adjudication workshops and networking sessions designed to sharpen critical thinking, leadership and persuasive communication. Participants debated contemporary issues ranging from governance and economic transformation to technology, public health, climate change and Africa’s future.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor welcomed delegates to Makerere University, emphasizing the institution’s enduring commitment to nurturing graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also capable of leading meaningful conversations that shape society. The championship reflected Makerere’s vision of producing graduates who are innovative, analytical and prepared to address regional and global challenges.

Prof. Sarah Ssali. East African Universities Debate Championships 2026 (EAUDC ZAABU) Closing Ceremony, 31st July 2026, Main Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Prof. Sarah Ssali.

Beyond competition, EAUDC 2026 became a celebration of East African unity. Delegates experienced Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through social events, campus tours and cultural showcases that fostered friendships beyond national borders. The interactions reinforced the championship’s belief that dialogue remains one of the strongest foundations for regional integration and peaceful cooperation.

The tournament concluded with an electrifying Grand Finale witnessed by students, alumni, university leaders, invited guests and debate enthusiasts. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba represented the Speaker of Parliament as the Guest of Honour. In his remarks he congratulated Makerere University on the successful event and encouraged debate among students.

The Guest of Honour, Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba. East African Universities Debate Championships 2026 (EAUDC ZAABU) Closing Ceremony, 31st July 2026, Main Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
The Guest of Honour, Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba.

Prof Sarah Ssali the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs at Makerere University pledged continuous support from the administration towards Makerere Debate Union. Teams demonstrated exceptional research, analytical reasoning and eloquence before a distinguished panel of international adjudicators, bringing to a close one of the most competitive editions of the championship.

The successful hosting of EAUDC 2026 marks another milestone in Makerere University‘s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for debating and public speaking. The event builds on the university’s long-standing tradition of producing outstanding debaters while providing students with opportunities to engage with peers from across the region in meaningful intellectual exchange.

Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba (Left) receives Makerere Souvenirs from Prof. Sarah Ssali (Right). East African Universities Debate Championships 2026 (EAUDC ZAABU) Closing Ceremony, 31st July 2026, Main Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba (Left) receives Makerere Souvenirs from Prof. Sarah Ssali (Right).

As the championship drew to a close, participants departed Kampala with new friendships, stronger networks and renewed inspiration to continue using debate as a tool for leadership, democratic participation and social transformation.

Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba and Prof. Sarah Ssali (Centre) enjoy a photo moment with a section of participants. East African Universities Debate Championships 2026 (EAUDC ZAABU) Closing Ceremony, 31st July 2026, Main Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba and Prof. Sarah Ssali (Centre) enjoy a photo moment with a section of participants.

With the East African chapter successfully concluded, attention now turns to the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship (PAUDC) 2026, where Makerere University will once again represent East Africa on the continental stage.

Some of the smiles that lit up EAUDC Zaabu. East African Universities Debate Championships 2026 (EAUDC ZAABU) Closing Ceremony, 31st July 2026, Main Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Some of the smiles that lit up EAUDC Zaabu.

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Makerere University Newsletter Apr-Jun 2026

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Cover Page of the Makerere University Newsletter Apr-Jun 2026. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

This April–June 2026 edition of the Makerere University Newsletter captures a decisive push toward becoming a research-led institution. Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe’s college engagements emphasized prioritizing graduate training to ensure research addresses Uganda’s and Africa’s development needs.

New Memoranda of Understanding are deepening collaborative research, staff and student exchanges, and the conversion of knowledge into practical solutions. The upgraded Makerere Financial Management System (Mak-FMS), launched this quarter, exemplifies institutional innovation by enabling fully paperless financial processes that boost efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Individual achievement also highlights our global reach. Mr. Kiggundu Muhammed’s win in the University of Groningen’s Erasmus+ African Perspectives Video Contest showcases how Makerere minds contribute distinctive African insights to international discourse. Complementary efforts, such as the sign-language training for undertaking Pharmacy students, demonstrate research-informed practice that advances inclusive service delivery.

The upgraded Makerere Financial Management System (Mak-FMS), launched this quarter, exemplifies institutional innovation by enabling fully paperless financial processes that boost efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Together, these developments confirm that Makerere’s research output is growing in both scale and relevance. As Makerere natures cultivate the next generation of scholars and innovators, we remain committed to producing knowledge that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and positions Uganda as a continental leader in higher education and innovation. As We Build for the Future

Enjoy the issue!

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