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Prof. Sarah Ssali Installed as First Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)

Published

11 months ago

September 30, 2025

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (L) and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe(R) help Prof. Sarah SSali to adorn the academic gown for Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) on Monday 29th September 2025.

Makerere University on Monday the 29^th of September installed Prof. Sarah Ssali as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVC AA), making her only the second female to hold this prestigious position in the university’s history.

The installation ceremony, held at the Main Building, brought together top management, and close family members of Prof. Ssali to celebrate this milestone. The event marked a moment of continuity and transformation in the university’s academic leadership.

Vice Chancellor Congratulates Prof. Ssali

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, congratulated Prof. Ssali upon her appointment, describing her as a dedicated academic whose commitment to teaching, research, and innovation has left an indelible mark on Makerere.

“Your docket is handling two vital components of what we do—teaching and learning, and more importantly, research and innovation. I have no doubt that you will carry on the great work and move Makerere forward,” Prof. Nawangwe said.

He emphasized the need for universities to demonstrate accountability for the significant investment made by Ugandan taxpayers, urging the new DVC to steer efforts that help “bring our people out of poverty” through impactful research and quality education.

Prof. Ssali’s Vision

In her inaugural speech, Prof. Ssali expressed deep gratitude to God, her family, and colleagues for the support that made her academic journey possible. The installation also served as a moment of personal celebration, with Prof. Ssali introducing her family members, including Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire. She paid special tribute to her husband, Dr. Francis Ssali, for his unwavering support since their marriage in 1993, noting that “marriage is a good thing—it adds value to a person.”

She acknowledged the collective effort behind her successful bid for the role and emphasized that her leadership will be one of service and teamwork. “I see this role as a joint mandate rather than a personal one. The office of the DVC AA is an enabler—supporting management, faculty, and students to thrive. Collaboration, networking, and evidence-based decision making will be central to my approach,” she said.

Prof. Ssali pledged to prioritize quality assurance, improved instructional facilities, stronger academic–industry linkages, and the use of data-driven systems to guide decision-making. She also committed to ensuring that Makerere’s research outputs are taken up by government, industry, and communities to drive national transformation.

Prof. Buyinza Hands Over Office

Outgoing Acting DVC (AA), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, who has served since July 2024, officially handed over the office to Prof. Ssali. In his farewell remarks, he expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and highlighted the reforms and achievements during his tenure, including improved accreditation processes, strengthened quality assurance systems, and the advancement of digital academic management platforms.

Prof. Buyinza also paid tribute to his team and appealed for continued support towards Prof. Ssali. “I request that you accord the same support you have given me to my sister, Prof. Ssali. We share a character of bonding easily with people, and I am confident she will thrive in this office,” he noted.

A Historic Appointment

Prof. Ssali’s installation marks a historic milestone for Makerere University, being the second female to serve as the First Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) since the position was established. With her extensive background in gender studies, governance, and mentorship, she is widely expected to bring a unique perspective to academic leadership.

In her closing remarks, she anchored her commitment in faith and service: “I take on this role trusting in the Lord with all my heart, and not leaning on my own understanding, as we build for the future—for God and my country.”

Prof. Sarah Ssali in a group photo with some members of top management

Related Topics:Academic Affairs appointment Research Announcements

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72 Makerere University Students Admitted to 2026 Millennium Fellowship

Published

2 days ago

August 19, 2026

Mak Editor

Female and male students along the Main Building Walkway on a bright sunny day, 6th May 2026. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

72 undergraduate students of Makerere University have successfully been admitted to the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2026, an initiative of the Millennium Campus Network (MCN) and United Nations Academic Impact. Makerere’s Fellows were selected from a record-breaking 76,000 applicants from over 6,000 campuses across 174 countries to participate in the ambitious programme.

According to the Fellowship website, the programme aims to make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Academic Impact Principles a reality on campuses, in classrooms and throughout communities. Millennium Fellows are university undergraduates selected for their leadership on sustainable development projects in their communities. As Fellows, they complete a semester-long leadership development programme that strengthens their student organizing, partnership-building and community-impact skills.

In his congratulatory message to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Sam Vaghar the Executive Director, MCN shared that Over 330 campuses across 60 nations have been selected to host 2026 Millenium Fellows. “Congratulations to you and Makerere University for having a cohort of Millennium Fellows from your student body again this year!”

Makerere University’s 2026 Millennium Fellows are:

Aber Okee	Abigaba Praise	Ainebyoona Innocent
Ainomugisha Precious	Ajollo Javuru	Akambona Anold
Akello Milthy	Allen Babirye	Angel Nuwaha
Apio Hellen	Arnold Esoku	Asinde Proscovia
Atuma Kisaala	Awate Brown	Babirye Patricia
Baguma Solomon	Baingana Patrick	Barbara Akwiacwiny
Basemera Grant	Benardete Nakwirisa	Billy Garvin Ssemyalo
Blessing Abaasa	Bulyaba Halimah	Cherotich Emmanuel
Claire Omodo	Dedeng Lochul	Denise Kainomugisha
Diphas Kuchana	Emmanuel Opori	Esther Kiire
Esther Nantambi	Evas Akello	Gift Nagasha
Haulat Nampijja	Iyundhu Kisame	Janet Acaye
Joan Namugalu	Joshua Mugwanya	Jovet Turyatunga
Julian Atim	Kibenge Shafic	Mable Apwot
Malinga Anthony	Mariot Kabarungi	Mercy Akampurira
Mukisa Ezra	Mukisa Mayende	Murungi Marion
Mutebi Willy	Nabirye Kiirya	Nahson Kahangwa
Nansubuga Gloria	Nasasira Seezi	Nyamuganya Kiconco
Precious Nakiryowa	Prisca Akello	Rashidah Nampiima
Rogers Abonga	Rose Peter Taban	Seida Jackline
Shadia Nambasa	Shamirah Kisuule	Sharifah Kasa
Sheila Murungi	Sherina Kirabo	Tumusiime Markline
Tusiime Caroline	Vicent Ssebunya	Victor Musana
Victoria Mulago	Waswa Andrew	Yuda Tadeo Katusiime

Millennium Fellows are engaged in projects that collectively advance all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and all 10 and UN Academic Impact Principles.

Below is a sample of the work of the Class of 2026.

At Harvard University, a UN Academic Impact member institution in the United States of America, Millennium Fellows are expanding OpenDoor, an AI-powered platform that helps people navigate retraining, job opportunities and pathways into high-demand careers. The project grew from their work with people experiencing homelessness and from seeing how difficult workforce programmes can be to navigate even when support exists. Advancing SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, it expects to reach about 7,500 people during the Fellowship.

At the University of Ilorin, a UN Academic Impact member institution in Nigeria, Millennium Fellows are building what they describe as Africa’s first green AI policy framework, helping policymakers and developers understand how artificial intelligence can advance while reducing energy use, pollution and material waste. Aligned with SDG 13: Climate Action, it expects to reach about 75 people during the Fellowship.

At BRAC University, a UN Academic Impact member institution in Bangladesh, a Millennium Fellow is advancing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production through a start-up replacing single-use products with environmentally friendly alternatives. Its current focus is a paper pen that uses roughly 90 per cent less plastic than a conventional pen, with a seed built in so it can grow into a plant when properly disposed of. The project expects to reach about 450 people.

At Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, a UN Academic Impact member institution in Moldova, a Millennium Fellow is advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by studying how environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity may affect recovery after brain surgery. By bringing simple digital monitoring tools into postoperative care, the project aims to help doctors make timelier decisions.

We wish our Millennium Fellows an impactful fellowship.

View Official Announcement

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Undergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027

Published

4 days ago

August 17, 2026

Mak Editor

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 17^th August 2026

Admission list for Re-advertised Programmes (Diploma/Degree and International Applicants). Re-advertised on 7th July 2026 here.

Update 10^th August 2026

Subject Combinations -Bachelor of Arts(ARS and ARJ)

Update 3^rd August 2026

Re-advertised Programmes. Re-advertised on 7th July 2026 here.
Successful Appeals/ Mopup -DIRECT ENTRY Private Sponsorship(BATCH II)
Successful Appeals/ Mopup -International & other East Africans

Update 27^th July 2026

Government and Private Sponsorship list

Update 3^rd July 2026

International & East African Applicants

Mop-up Lists

Government Sponsorship – Mature Age Entry Scheme

Government Sponsorship
Private\Self Sponsorship

General

Makerere jumps 200 positions in latest global rankings

Published

4 days ago

August 17, 2026

Mak Editor

Screenshot of the Makerere University Ranking July 2026 - Webometrics Global Position. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University‘s position in the July 2026 edition of the Webometrics Rankings has improved from 925^th to 776^th globally and from 13^th to 11^th on the Continent, compared to the January 2026 edition. Makerere remains the top-ranked University in Uganda and East Africa.

The new rankings are as a result of improved performance in the Impact Rank, which measures the number of external domains referring/linking to Makerere (from 1,593 to 1,185) and the Excellence Rank, which measures Research papers in the top 10% most cited between 2019 and 2023 (from 1,095 to 715).

Please see the attached screenshots for details or view Makerere‘s rankings online using the link below:

https://www.webometrics.org/makerere-university

The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities aims to recognize and promote the digital transformation of higher education institutions by evaluating how effectively they reflect their academic, research, and societal contributions online.

We remain committed to ensuring that all our good work in teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, and partnerships continues to be reflected online through various journals and other platforms.