The Academic Registrar Makerere University announces that the Pre-Entry Examination for admission to the Bachelor of Laws for 2025/2026 will be held on Saturday 12^th April, 2025 from 9am – 12pm.

To be eligible to sit the examination, Applicants must possess the minimum admission requirements of the University, and any one of the following specific requirements:

1. 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.
2. Diploma Holders: Must possess at least a 2^nd 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.
3. Mature Age Applicants: Must have passed the Makerere University Mature Age Entry Examination (for Bachelor of Laws) for February 24, 2024 and December 14, 2024.
4. 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:

• 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.
• All applicants interested in Government sponsorship, must have applied for Bachelor of Laws( LAW) by filling in the Government application form. All applicants interested in Private Sponsorship for Bachelor of Laws (LAW) -Day and Afternoon (LLA) will apply afresh when the advert comes out.
• All applicants who hold diplomas and degrees must present a certified copy of the academic transcript. Provisional results shall not be accepted to register for this examination.
• Applicants should note that admission is based on performance in the pre-entry examination and intake capacities for private day and private afternoon for all categories i.e. ‘A’ level, Diploma Holder, Mature Age, Degree holder and international applicants.
• 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 s ) and the most recent coloured passport size photograph with a white background as shall be specified on the online application portal.
• Each Applicant MUST without fail avail his/her e-mail address and an active mobile phone number that will be used appropriately as may be required to reach out to her/him in case of any communication after submitting the application. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check with the e-mail address/ mobile phone number availed/ application account(portal) for any future communication/information.
• All Applicants with visual impairment are advised to come with laptops installed with the computer BRAIL Programme which they will use to write/sit for their pre-entry examination.

Further information detailing how to submit the application are contained in the document below:

The closing date for submitting the completed online Application Forms is Thursday 10^th April, 2025.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

School Managers have been urged to incorporate entrepreneurship as an innovative solution aimed at addressing the existing problems in Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools.

Studies indicate that in most UPE Schools in Uganda, learners still lack parental support, mid-day meals, scholastic materials, clean water, and are often unattended to by teachers, which undermines children’s desire to learn or stay in school because hunger impairs their ability to concentrate and learn effectively.

Constrained by resources, UPE schools are unable to offer decent feeding, sanitary facilities and clean water. The situation is perpetuated by the inability of the School management to optimize potential benefits of UPE schools such as the available land, space, human resources, public goodwill to experiment with innovative solutions to address existing problems.

“If UPE schools incorporate entrepreneurship, it can make a very big difference,” said Prof. Christopher Mugimu based at the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University.  Prof. Mugimu is the Project Principal Investigator, Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative for UPE schools.

This proposal is informed by a one-year study conducted by the project research team consisting of staff from the College of Education and External Studies namely Prof. Christopher Mugimu, Dr. Badru Musisi, Dr. Victoria Tamale, Dr. Justine Namaganda and Dr. Joyce Bukirwa from Muni University

As an intervention, the project research team proposes an Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative for UPE schools to reboot, retool and re-orient school management.  “This is a timely, strategic and innovative empowerment initiative purposively designed to transform UPE Schools managers’ mindset from a traditional managerial role to an enterprising leadership role,” said Prof. Mugimu.

The project aims at promoting entrepreneurial leadership in UPE schools by training and equipping school leaders and teachers with entrepreneurial skills.

He said: “With this project, we are confident that UPE schools can overcome the challenges that have held them back for so long and unlock a brighter future for their learners.”

Funded by the Government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF), the project seeks to address the perennial challenges of low learning outcomes in UPE schools.

During the dissemination workshop held on 20^th March 2025 at the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Mugimu informed the different stakeholders that in most UPE schools, the leaders are not free to take on new ideas.

Presenting the results of the baseline survey, Prof. Mugimu underscored that the findings proved very low entrepreneurial orientation levels with less than 20% of UPE school leadership in terms of autonomy, pro-activeness, innovativeness, competitiveness and risk-taking.

Prof. Mugimu emphasized that the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative framework is ideal for UPE school leadership to identify and utilize opportunities to start-up and scale-up UPE School learning environment improvement initiatives.

On the issue of utilization of resources in UPE schools, the survey indicated that most UPE schools possess resources, most of which are unrecognized, unutilized and underutilized.

“If the School managers implement the entrepreneurial leadership initiative, these resources could be leveraged to improve the quality of education and transform the lives of learners,” he said.

Prof. Mugimu stated that some UPE schools have 10 acres of land, which could be a valuable resource to undertake school gardening to produce food stuff for school meals or bee-keeping for production of honey. He suggested that Schools could utilize biogas material from waste to support cooking and lighting, talent clubs should be ‘re-awakened’ to train and empower learners gifted in Music, Dance and Drama to come up with performances that generate income. The schools should rejuvenate art and crafts so that materials produced by the learners are sold to generate income.

According to Prof. Kagimu, entrepreneurial leadership builds and promotes an entrepreneurial mindset and culture bringing on board both the teachers and learners. He explained that if the school leadership creates an entrepreneurial culture in UPE schools, this would not only involve the teachers and learners in the activities, but also contribute to the ultimate goal of empowering learners with skills and knowledge as well as making learning attractive and interesting.

The Acting Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Ronald Bisaso commended the project team for coming up with an intervention aimed at integrating entrepreneurship in UPE schools. He added that the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative in UPE schools would add value to learners in line with the new competence-based education curriculum.

 “This intervention (the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative) is timely. Its implementation will contribute to the transformation of the education sector. It adds value to schools and significantly benefits the learners who are our focus. Teachers with an entrepreneurial mindset will train and equip learners with entrepreneurial skills,” said Prof. Bisaso, who is the substantive Deputy Principal.

He shared that the initiative will have a ripple effect on the entire education system, with benefits extending beyond the schools to the boarder community.

“By promoting entrepreneurial thinking and self-reliance amongst UPE teachers, we hope to create a new generation of educators and learners who are equipped to drive innovation and progress in the entire education sector,” he remarked.

Dr. Kulthum Nabunya, Officer Education Services at Kampala City Authority (KCCA) highlighted that the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative at the respective UPE schools would follow a committee approach to ensure continuity and sustainability.

Dr. Nabunya also acknowledged the project research team for the timely intervention. “With the ongoing implementation of the Competence-based education curriculum, schools have no option, but to embrace the innovative approaches such as the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative,” she said.

 She was optimistic that if the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative is effectively implemented, UPE learners would be in position to adapt to the secondary competence-based curriculum.

Contributing to the discussion, Dr. Nicholas Itaaga, an Associate Professor at the College of Education and External Studies said the implementation of the entrepreneurial leadership initiative would significantly benefit staff in UPE schools through skills acquisition, empowerment and involvement in school activities.

Wrapping up, the stakeholders who participated in the dissemination workshop stressed the need for mindset change programs in UPE schools, incorporating entrepreneurship into the curriculum, and undertaking community-school working strategies that bring on board politicians and community leaders.

Project Summary:

UPE was introduced in 1997 to cater for poor households in Uganda. Hence, UPE schools’ management was mandated to create inclusive and enabling learning environment for upward social mobility of deprived children. However, 23 years later, UPE schools are typified by a tangible state of teacher, parental and community detachment; which leads to learner letdown. As an intervention, we propose an Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative for UPE schools to reboot, retool and re-orient school management from mechanically implementing prescribed solutions; to encounter school management challenges and dilemmas in a sustainably creative, innovative and adaptive ways. The Initiative is consistent with the Ministry of Education and Sports’ mission to deliver quality education to all Ugandans and to SDG 4 Target 1, seeking all children to complete free, equitable and quality basic education by 2030.

On March 21, the Makerere University community welcomed a new era of student leadership as Ssentamu Churchill James was inaugurated as the 91^st Guild President. The ceremony gathered students, faculty, parents, and dignitaries, marking a significant moment in the university’s history.

In his inaugural address, Ssentamu expressed gratitude, stating, “It’s been God’s grace all through.” He acknowledged the vital support of his family and mentors, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in leadership. “We have been entrusted with the responsibility to bring political, social, and academic salvation,” he declared, emphasizing his commitment to restoring Makerere’s status as Africa’s premier higher education institution.

Reflecting on his campaign, Churchill credited his team, stating, “I am no one without my team,” and dedicated his victory to every student aspiring for a better Makerere. He underscored that students are the foundation of his cabinet, stating, “Those students are our bosses,” and called for unity and resilience among fellow leaders as they prepare to tackle challenges ahead.

The ceremony also included the swearing-in of Guild Representative Councilors from various colleges and Halls of Residence, culminating in the inauguration of Ssentamu and the Vice Guild President.

The outgoing Guild President, H.E. Lubega Vincent Nsamba, shared insights from his tenure, highlighting the importance of building harmonious relationships and the value of collaboration in solving challenges. He quoted theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the dangers of ignorance and urged new leaders to actively engage with the university’s governance structures.

Nsamba linked his faith to leadership, encouraging his successors to seek divine guidance and reflecting on his administration’s efforts to foster a good working relationship with university management. He congratulated Churchill and wished him success in his term.

Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, expressed joy in welcoming the new leadership and emphasized that this was the time to chart a new leadership journey. He acknowledged all election participants and praised the peaceful transition of leadership, encouraging the new guild members to embrace dedication, humility, and adherence to university regulations.

“As students of Makerere University first and foremost, aim for academic excellence,” Mukadasi advised, highlighting the importance of dialogue with university management. He officially commissioned the new government, expressing optimism for their future contributions and collaboration. He called on them to embrace dialogue with the university administration.

Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Dean of Students acknowledged the departing President, Vincent Lubega Nsamba, for his efforts in enhancing student life and congratulated Churchill on his election, encouraging him to uphold values of inclusivity and diversity.

“As we celebrate this transition, let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a supportive campus environment,” Kabumbuli urged, emphasizing the need for collaboration in creating a conducive learning atmosphere.

As the inauguration drew to a close, the Makerere University community looked forward to a promising future under President Ssentamu’s leadership.