An aerial view of Left to Right: Mitchell Hall, Senate, CoCIS Blocks B and A, Lincoln Flats, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility and School of Social Sciences (white) Buildings, Makerere University, with Kampala City in the background, October 2018.
Water ESSENCE – Creating Synergies to meet global challenges is a NORHED project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). The aim of the programme is to strength capacity of higher education institutions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), to educate more and better qualified candidates, and to increase quality and quantity of research conducted by the countries’ own researchers. The purpose of WATER ESSENCE project is to co-develop, strengthen and innovate the teaching and learning processes, enhancing the capacities and capabilities of the graduate water programs. It will create mechanisms and solutions continuing well beyond the project life and strengthening partner universities’ contributions to the lifelong learning of the water professionals.
The Partner institutions on this project include: In Norway: Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU); Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); University of Bergen (UIB) and; In Africa Makerere University (Uganda), University of Nairobi (Kenya), Machakos University (Kenya), University of Juba (South Sudan), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), University of Rwanda, University of Ghana, and University of Development Studies(Ghana).
The call
WATER ESSENCE is pleased to announce funding for
Three (3) three months MSc. /MA. mobility fellowships at any of our partner Universities in Africa.
One (1) six months PhD fellowship at any of our Partner University in Africa.
In Water, Society and Climate Change related disciplines• Water Resources Management • Applied Hydrology and ground water management • Irrigation and water management • GIS and remote sensing in water resources • Water and Disaster management • Water supply (engineering, technology, health, water quality) • Wastewater treatment • Computer applications in water and Environmental engineering; Hydropolitics • Climate change impacts & adaptation.
Research funding will be provided to cover costs of field research/tuition, a modest stipend and travel to Partner institutions as may be required.
Eligibility and requirements
The applicant should
Be a registered student at Makerere University and will have completed course work in fields relevant to the above broad theme. In addition, applicants should:
Be willing to undertake and complete field research and write-up (including publishing in recognized journals) within the specified period;
Females are highly encouraged to apply.
Provide proof of completion of coursework, Registration and a full Curriculum Vitae (CV) with primary and alternative contacts, copies of academic documents, statement of research interest and contact addresses (phone and email) of two referees.
How to apply:
Applications should be hand delivered in a sealed envelope marked “Water ESSENCE MSc. / PhD Research Funding Application” to reach the undersigned by 5:00 PM, 10th October, 2024. The Coordinator Water Essence, Flat B7 Lincoln Flats Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala. Phone: +256 (0) 772561965 Email: makuib.projects@mak.ac.ug
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.