Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) is a Scheme for Makerere University staff. MURBS was established under an irrevocable trust effective 1 April 2009 to provide retirement benefits to employees of Makerere University. The Scheme is governed by a Board of Trustees (with a Secretary and Chairperson elected among their number), whose mandate is enshrined under the Trust Deed and Scheme Rules (As Amended). MURBS is a Mandatory Employer-Based Scheme licensed by the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (License No. RBS.0005).
Management and day-to-day operations of the Scheme are handled by the Secretariat as well as external service providers. The external service providers include the Fund Manager, Custodian, and Administrator. The Secretariat is headed by a Principal Pension Officer (PPO).
Who are MURBS Ambassadors?
MURBS Ambassadors are volunteers from the University’s staff who advocate for and promote the scheme’s values, mission, and products at the departmental level. This programme aims to foster succession planning for MURBS governance, enhance awareness, and ensure all university staff understand and engage with MURBS services.
MURBS Ambassadors will play a key role in creating awareness on the Scheme services, especially among University staff and, subsequently encourage others to join and actively participate in MURBS affairs.
What is Expected of the MURBS Ambassador?
Attend Ambassador meetings scheduled by the Scheme.
Participate in activities organised by the Scheme.
Actively promote the attainment of the “Objectives of the Ambassadors Programme.”
What are the Benefits of becoming a MURBS Ambassador?
Ambassadors will be equipped with advanced knowledge about the Retirement Benefits Schemes (RBS) sector.
Ambassadors may be invited to attend meetings and activities of the Board of Trustees.
Ambassadors will have opportunities to attend RBS sector-specific training and events.
Ambassadors will gain extensive knowledge and skills about how to plan for retirement.
Ambassadors are eligible to compete in MURBS Trustee elections.
Who is Eligible to become an Ambassador?
Must be employed by the University on permanent terms.
Must be an Active Member of the Scheme (currently contributing to the Scheme) and appear on the Official Register of the MURBS Active Membership as at 30 May 2024.
Must be willing to commit time to training and other ambassadorial activities organised by the Scheme.
Mode of Training
Training for this Cohort of Ambassadors is envisaged to be conducted via the blended mode (i.e. physical and online).
Tenure of Office & Termination or Withdrawal
There is no tenure of office for the Departmental Ambassador. As long as a member is willing to continue serving as an Ambassador, and the Ambassador continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria above, she or he will remain a MURBS Ambassador.
How to Apply
Interested members should complete the MURBS Departmental Ambassador Application Form 01-0218. The completed Form together with the requested attachments should be sent to info@murbs.mak.ac.ug and copied to; murbs.info1@gmail.com no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 26 June 2024.
Confirmation/Approval Process
MURBS shall acknowledge receipt of each application received within 12 hours and will respond to the applicants to confirm the status of their application in writing (by e-mail).
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Prof. Sarah Ssali.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Prof. Mary Okwakol (Left) and Dr. Vincent Ssembatya listen to feedback from leaders.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
Prof. Mary Okwakol.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
Part of the audience that attended the validation meeting.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
Kampala, Uganda – 20th January 2026 – Makerere University has postponed its opening date for Semester Two of Academic Year 2025/2026 from the earlier communicated 24th January 2026 to 10th February 2026.
This adjustment is in response to the Ministry of Education and Sports directive to all Schools and Education Institutions to postpone re-opening until 10th February 2026. Consequently, Semester Two at Makerere University will now run from 10th February 2026 until 6th June 2026. Attached is the detailed Calendar for Semester Two 2025/2026.
Confirmed dates for the 76th Graduation Ceremony
Makerere University also wishes to inform the general public that Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony will be held from Tuesday 24th February 2026 to Friday 27th February 2026.
Specifics including the graduation schedules and standard operating procedures for participants will be communicated officially in due course.
Please see downloads for the statement, Ministry directive and revised calendar.
The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African (Non-Egyptian) students who wish to obtain their M.Sc. degree in the programs of Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Basic and Applied Science (BAS), Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), Faculty of International Business and Humanities (FIBH) and Heritage Science (HS).
Please note that interested applicants have to apply through E-JUST’ website (online application system). Applications will only be accepted via E-JUST’s website (online application system).
Interested applicants must complete and submit their application forms before February 15, 2026. The applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail as proof of successful submission of the application.