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Mastercard Foundation Scholars embrace and honour their rich cultural diversity

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On the evening of Friday, 13th February 2026, the Scholars of Mastercard Foundation embraced the new semester with enthusiasm and celebration, showcasing their rich cultural diversity at the annual cultural dinner. This event not only fostered a sense of community but also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and understanding among the scholars. The purpose of the cultural dinner is to foster unity in diversity within the Scholars community and to enable young people to appreciate and respect each other’s cultural differences.

Ladies showcasing the gomesi, Baganda women traditional wear. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ladies showcasing the gomesi, Baganda women traditional wear.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars community at Makerere University is a vibrant tapestry of countries, cultures, and backgrounds. In recognition of this richness, the Program team has proposed organising an annual cultural dinner to kick off each new semester. This event aims to achieve several important objectives:

  • Promote mutual understanding and cross-cultural appreciation among Scholars.
  • Celebrate and highlight the unique cultural identities within our community.
  • Encourage confidence and creativity through a dynamic talent showcase.
  • Foster a sense of unity and excitement as we embark on the new academic semester together.
Ms. Grace Namata Sennoga, the Principal Welfare Officer and convener of the event addressing Scholars. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Grace Namata Sennoga, the Principal Welfare Officer and convener of the event addressing Scholars.

During the event, the Scholars proudly showcased their diverse cultures through a vibrant display of traditional attire, engaging dances, delectable dishes, and meaningful expressions in their native languages. The event showcased a rich tapestry of cultures, including the Baganda from Central Uganda; the Banyankore, Bakiga, Batooro, and Banyoro from Western Uganda; the Acholi from the North; the Karamojong from the Northeast; and the Basoga and Bagisu from the Eastern region, among many other indigenous tribes in Uganda. Additionally, attendees enjoyed cultural performances from South Sudan, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrating the unique heritage of each community.

Some of the Program Staff who joined Scholars in showcasing their cultural attire. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the Program Staff who joined Scholars in showcasing their cultural attire.

The event also featured a vibrant showcase of cultural attire, accompanied by traditional songs and dances. Attendees enjoyed cultural dress modelling, engaging performances, art displays, and interactive quizzes, culminating in exciting prizes awarded to outstanding performers. This diverse array of activities contributed to a rich celebration of creativity and cultural exchange.

Ladies showcasing the Mwenda, Western Uganda women cultural wear. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ladies showcasing the Mwenda, Western Uganda women cultural wear.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University is committed to fostering holistic development, community building, and leadership among Scholars. At the start of each semester, the Program Team hosts a cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement. The cultural dinner is a critical platform for raising awareness of the need to appreciate and respect cultural diversity.

Bernard Buteera is the Principal Communications Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.

More Photos from the Dinner

Some of the guests clad in their cultural wear. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the guests clad in their cultural wear.

Miss Culture 2025-2026. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Miss Culture 2025-2026.

The event Emcee clad in her traditional African wear. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The event Emcee clad in her traditional African wear.

The Bagisu boys showcasing their imbalu cultural wear. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Bagisu boys showcasing their Imbalu cultural wear.

Scholars showcasing the Acholi cultural dance. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Scholars showcasing the Acholi cultural dance.

Prizes won by outstanding participants. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University annual cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement, 13th February 2026, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prizes won by outstanding participants.

Bernard Buteera

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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 21st August 2026

Update 17th August 2026

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

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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72 Makerere University Students Admitted to 2026 Millennium Fellowship

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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 OkeeAbigaba PraiseAinebyoona Innocent
Ainomugisha PreciousAjollo JavuruAkambona Anold
Akello MilthyAllen BabiryeAngel Nuwaha
Apio HellenArnold EsokuAsinde Proscovia
Atuma KisaalaAwate BrownBabirye Patricia
Baguma SolomonBaingana PatrickBarbara Akwiacwiny
Basemera GrantBenardete NakwirisaBilly Garvin Ssemyalo
Blessing AbaasaBulyaba HalimahCherotich Emmanuel
Claire OmodoDedeng LochulDenise Kainomugisha
Diphas KuchanaEmmanuel OporiEsther Kiire
Esther NantambiEvas AkelloGift Nagasha
Haulat NampijjaIyundhu KisameJanet Acaye
Joan NamugaluJoshua MugwanyaJovet Turyatunga
Julian AtimKibenge ShaficMable Apwot
Malinga AnthonyMariot KabarungiMercy Akampurira
Mukisa EzraMukisa MayendeMurungi Marion
Mutebi WillyNabirye KiiryaNahson Kahangwa
Nansubuga GloriaNasasira SeeziNyamuganya Kiconco
Precious NakiryowaPrisca AkelloRashidah Nampiima
Rogers AbongaRose Peter TabanSeida Jackline
Shadia NambasaShamirah KisuuleSharifah Kasa
Sheila MurungiSherina KiraboTumusiime Markline
Tusiime CarolineVicent SsebunyaVictor Musana
Victoria MulagoWaswa AndrewYuda 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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Makerere jumps 200 positions in latest global rankings

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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 925th to 776th globally and from 13th to 11th 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.

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