General
Makerere University Kicks Off Semester Two Examinations Amid High Student Expectations
Makerere University, the oldest and most prestigious institution of higher learning in Uganda and one of the foremost universities on the African continent, has officially commenced its Semester Two examinations for the 2025/2026 academic year. The much-anticipated assessment period marks a critical milestone in the academic calendar, bringing together thousands of students from across the university’s numerous colleges, schools, faculties, and institutes as they sit their end of semester papers in a bid to demonstrate mastery of the content covered throughout the semester.
The examinations, which span a carefully structured timetable released by the Academic Registrar, are being conducted across the various examination halls, lecture theaters, and designated assessment venues spread throughout the Makerere Hill campus. Security and integrity measures have been reinforced to ensure that the examinations are conducted in a fair, orderly, and transparent manner, upholding the university’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence and integrity.
This year’s examination season arrives at a particularly significant moment for the institution. Having navigated numerous challenges in recent years including disruptions to the academic calendar, resource constraints, and the ongoing effort to modernize curriculum delivery, Makerere finds itself reaffirming its core identity as a centre of academic rigour and intellectual development. The commencement of these examinations is therefore a statement of institutional resilience and the continued determination of both staff and students to uphold the highest standards of scholarship.
A Season of Academic Reckoning
For the student body, the commencement of Semester Two examinations signals the culmination of months of learning, late night reading sessions, group discussions, coursework submissions, and individual academic effort. Across the hostels, libraries, and common rooms of Makerere, the atmosphere has unmistakably shifted into one of focused determination. Students can be seen poring over lecture notes, textbooks, and past examination papers in every available space, from the steps of the Main Library to the benches of Freedom Square.
The university administration, through the various college deans and heads of department, has urged students to approach the examinations with calmness, thorough preparation, and utmost honesty. Messages reminding students of the dire consequences of academic malpractice have been widely circulated, as Makerere maintains a strict zero tolerance policy toward examination fraud, plagiarism, and any form of misconduct during assessments.
Beyond the pressure of performance, the examination period also carries a deeply communal character on the Makerere campus. Students from different programmes, regions, and backgrounds find themselves united by the shared experience of preparation and assessment. Study groups form spontaneously in corridors and courtyards, senior students mentor their juniors on examination technique, and a spirit of collective striving pervades the institution. It is one of the defining features of life at Makerere, where the pursuit of knowledge is understood as both a personal endeavour and a shared social responsibility.
Preparation and Logistical Readiness
Ahead of the examination period, the university undertook extensive logistical preparations to ensure smooth and uninterrupted conduct of all papers. The Academic Registrar worked in close coordination with college examination officers to finalize seating arrangements, allocate invigilators, distribute examination materials, and confirm examination schedules with both academic staff and students. Special provisions were made for students with disabilities and those with documented medical conditions that may require additional time or special seating accommodations.
The university also invested in refreshing and reinforcing the physical examination venues. Lecture theaters and examination halls have been reorganized to ensure adequate spacing between candidates, proper ventilation, and clear visibility of invigilation personnel at all times. In line with best practices for examination administration, the university ensured that all required stationery, answer booklets, and supplementary materials were available and ready for distribution before the commencement of each paper.
Communication between the university and its students was also given particular attention in the lead up to the examinations. The Academic Registrar disseminated detailed instructions regarding reporting times, permitted materials, dress code requirements, and procedures for handling examination anomalies. Students were also reminded of the appeals process available to them should they have concerns about any aspect of their assessment. These communications were shared through the university’s official online portals, notice boards, college bulletins, and student representative councils to ensure maximum reach across the diverse student population.
The role of academic staff in the success of the examination period cannot be overstated. Lecturers and course instructors spent the final weeks of the semester conducting revision sessions, responding to student queries, and ensuring that all coursework components had been duly submitted and graded before the formal examination window opened. Many went above and beyond the requirements of their schedules to hold additional consultation hours, offering students every possible opportunity to consolidate their understanding and approach the examinations with confidence.
The Student Experience During Examinations
The experience of sitting Semester Two examinations at Makerere University is one that students across all disciplines describe as both challenging and transformative. Whether one is pursuing a degree in Medicine, Engineering, Law, Education, Agriculture, Business, or the Arts and Humanities, the examination period demands a high level of intellectual engagement and self discipline. For final year students in particular, these examinations carry enormous weight, as outstanding results can open doors to prestigious postgraduate opportunities, professional careers, and scholarship programmes both within Uganda and internationally.
First and second year students, many of whom are still adjusting to the demanding academic culture of university life, have also been encouraged to view these examinations not with fear, but as an opportunity to measure their growth and identify areas requiring further attention. The university’s Student Support Services office has throughout the semester offered counseling, academic advising, and peer mentorship programmes designed to equip students with the tools needed to manage examination related stress and perform at their best.
The physical and mental wellbeing of students during this period has also been a priority for the university. The university health center has been operating with extended hours to attend to students who may require medical attention, while the counseling and guidance unit has been available to offer psychological support to those experiencing anxiety or other forms of distress linked to the pressure of examinations. Student leaders have similarly been active in organizing welfare activities such as communal meals, devotional gatherings, and motivational talks to sustain morale across the student community.
International students studying at Makerere under various exchange and bilateral agreements have also been fully integrated into the examination process. The International Office worked to ensure that these students were aware of all relevant regulations, that their results would be properly transmitted to their home institutions, and that any unique logistical needs they may have had were addressed in a timely and sensitive manner. Makerere‘s growing profile as a destination for regional and international students makes this kind of inclusive administration increasingly important.
Upholding the Integrity of the Examination Process
Academic integrity remains one of the most sacred principles at Makerere University. The institution has, over its century long history, produced graduates who go on to serve in the highest echelons of government, civil society, academia, and industry, not only in Uganda but across East Africa and the broader global community. The credibility of a Makerere degree is therefore inseparable from the integrity with which its examinations are conducted. To this end, trained invigilators are deployed at every examination venue, and supervisory visits by senior academic officers are carried out throughout the examination period.
Students found in possession of unauthorized materials, communicating with fellow candidates without permission, or engaging in any other form of misconduct face serious disciplinary consequences, including cancellation of their papers, suspension from the university, or permanent expulsion in the most severe cases. These measures are not intended to intimidate but rather to protect the integrity of each student’s genuine academic effort and safeguard the reputation of the qualifications they earn.
It is worth noting that the vast majority of Makerere students approach their examinations with complete honesty and a genuine desire to succeed on the strength of their own preparation. The university’s integrity framework is designed not to cast suspicion on the student body as a whole, but to create a level playing field in which every student’s results accurately reflect their own knowledge, effort, and intellectual ability. The culture of academic integrity is something that Makerere actively cultivates through orientation programmes, faculty mentorship, and ongoing student engagement on the values that underpin the university’s academic mission.
A Legacy of Excellence in Focus
Makerere University was established in 1922 as a technical school and has grown over the decades into a comprehensive research university offering programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels across virtually every field of human knowledge. Today, with an enrollment of tens of thousands of students drawn from Uganda and across Africa, the university occupies a unique and irreplaceable role in the intellectual, social, and economic development of the region. Each examination season is therefore not merely a bureaucratic academic exercise but a living expression of this legacy of excellence.
The University Council, Senate, and Vice Chancellor have collectively reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the assessment process is not only rigorous and fair but also supportive of student welfare. Plans are already in place for timely marking and moderation of scripts, with results expected to be released within the stipulated periods as outlined in the academic calendar, allowing students to plan ahead for the subsequent semester or, for those completing their programmes, for graduation and the next chapter of their lives.
Alumni of Makerere University, many of whom occupy positions of influence in Uganda and beyond, frequently look back on their examination experiences as formative moments that shaped their professional discipline, their capacity for sustained effort, and their ability to perform under pressure. The lessons learned in the examination hall, they often say, extend far beyond the academic content being tested. They speak to the development of character, persistence, and the kind of intellectual confidence that only comes from having genuinely mastered a body of knowledge. In this sense, the examinations of Semester Two 2026 are not merely an ending but a beginning for each of the thousands of students who sit them.
Looking Ahead: Results, Graduation, and Beyond
Once the examination period concludes, attention will swiftly turn to the processes of marking, moderation, and results release. The university’s academic staff are expected to adhere to strict timelines in the submission of marked scripts and the entry of results into the university’s academic management system. External examiners, drawn from other universities and professional bodies, play an important role in moderating the standards of assessment across programmes, ensuring that Makerere‘s results are benchmarked against regional and international norms.
For students who are completing their final year of study, the conclusion of Semester Two examinations sets in motion the graduation process. Makerere University‘s graduation ceremonies are among the most celebrated events in Uganda’s annual calendar, attended by families, dignitaries, government officials, and members of the public who gather to witness the conferment of degrees upon a new generation of graduates. The graduation ceremony is a moment of immense pride for the university, for the families who have supported their children through years of study, and above all for the graduates themselves who cross the stage having earned their qualifications through genuine effort and dedication.
Students who do not achieve the required grades in one or more papers will have access to the university’s retake and supplementary examination provisions, which are designed to give genuine learners a fair opportunity to demonstrate competence without being permanently disadvantaged by a single poor performance. The university’s academic regulations provide clear and transparent guidelines on eligibility for retakes, the conditions under which supplementary examinations may be granted, and the procedures for lodging appeals. These provisions reflect Makerere’s understanding that the journey of learning is rarely linear and that fairness requires the system to accommodate the full range of student circumstances.
A Message of Encouragement
To every student sitting examinations at Makerere University this season, the message from the university community is one of solidarity and encouragement. The journey through university is not always easy, but it is invariably worthwhile. Every late night spent studying, every difficult concept wrestled into understanding, and every assignment completed under pressure has been preparation for exactly this moment. The examination hall is where months of intellectual labor are given form and voice, and every student carries within them the capacity to rise to the occasion.
The university’s academic and administrative staff, from the Vice Chancellor and the Deans down to the examination room invigilators and the groundskeepers who ensure the campus is clean and welcoming each morning, are all invested in the success of every student. Makerere is not merely a place of learning; it is a community built on mutual commitment to the advancement of knowledge and the development of human potential. Every student who walks into an examination venue this season walks in as a representative of that community and carries with them the hopes of their family, their region, and their country.
As Makerere University proceeds through its Semester Two examination period, the entire institution stands united behind its students. From the academic staff who prepared and marked the papers, to the support staff who maintained the examination venues, to the administration that coordinated the logistics and upheld the rules, everyone is working together toward a single goal: providing every student with the fairest possible opportunity to demonstrate what they know and what they are capable of achieving. Makerere University remains, as it has always been, a place where minds are shaped, potential is realized, and futures are built.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
After 14 years of dedicated service, Claire Nakayiza, a familiar face and trusted custodian at the School of Public Health (SPH), has retired, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, commitment, kindness and service to the School community.
For many people at the School of Public Health, the sight of Claire arriving early in the morning, opening up the building and ensuring that everything was in order was simply part of the daily rhythm of life at the School.
For 14 years, Claire has been a constant presence at SPH. She has witnessed generations of staff, students, researchers and visitors walk through the School’s doors. She has seen colleagues join, grow and eventually move on, while she remained a dependable presence, quietly carrying out her responsibilities and ensuring that the School was ready to welcome everyone each day.
Her retirement was therefore more than a routine farewell. It was an opportunity for colleagues to celebrate a woman whose contribution, though often carried out behind the scenes, touched many lives and contributed significantly to the smooth running of the School.
At a farewell brunch organised by the Dean, School of Public Health, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, colleagues and friends described Claire in glowing terms. Words such as hardworking, kind, patient, resilient, dependable and caring repeatedly featured in the tributes.
For many, Claire was much more than a custodian. She was described as a mother figure, a counsellor and someone people could approach whenever they needed a listening ear, encouragement or simply a warm smile.
A commitment that went beyond the call of duty
One of the strongest themes to emerge during the farewell was Claire’s extraordinary commitment to her work.
Colleagues recalled how she would routinely open the School building as early as 6:00 a.m., ensuring that staff and students arriving for the day found the premises ready. Her working day could stretch well into the evening, with some days requiring her to remain at the School until 8:00 p.m. or even 10:00 p.m.
Despite the long hours and demanding nature of her responsibilities, colleagues said Claire rarely complained. Instead, she approached her work with patience and resilience, always focused on ensuring that the School was secure and that its operations could continue smoothly.
Her dedication was particularly evident in her contribution to improving the security of the School building. Over the years, Claire became a trusted custodian of the premises, helping to ensure that the building was opened and closed responsibly and that the environment remained secure for those who worked and studied there.
Speaking at the farewell, Prof. Wanyenze described Claire as someone who consistently worked beyond the call of duty.
The Dean acknowledged that saying goodbye to Claire was an emotional moment, given the many years she had spent serving the School and the relationships she had built along the way.
However, Prof. Wanyenze said she had spoken to Claire and was assured that she was ready to embrace the next phase of her life.
She joined colleagues in wishing Claire good health, happiness and prosperity as she begins her retirement journey.
More than a custodian
Claire’s impact at SPH was not limited to the physical responsibilities associated with her job. To those who interacted with her regularly, her greatest contribution was perhaps the warmth and humanity she brought to the workplace.
Amos Ddembe, the Internal Auditor, described Claire as a joy to watch as she went about her work.
He particularly remembered her interactions with people when she was stationed at the reception area. Claire, he noted, was almost always smiling and welcoming to staff and visitors.
Her ability to make people feel comfortable, regardless of their position or role at the School, earned her the affection and respect of many colleagues.
Claire’s colleagues also remembered her as someone who was willing to listen and offer guidance. Her patience and calm demeanour meant that people could approach her with their concerns, knowing they would receive a sympathetic ear.
Over the years, these seemingly small interactions accumulated into meaningful relationships, helping to make Claire one of the most recognisable and trusted members of the SPH community.
A legacy of service
Fourteen years is a significant period in the life of any institution. During that time, Claire witnessed changes in leadership, staff, students, programmes and the physical environment of the School.
She remained a constant through these transitions.
Her service represents the important contribution made by members of the support staff whose work often happens quietly but is essential to the functioning of an institution.
From opening the building before sunrise to securing it late in the evening, welcoming people at reception, supporting the day-to-day operations of the School and contributing to the security of the premises, Claire’s work helped create an environment in which others could perform their own responsibilities.
Her story is a reminder that the success of an institution is built not only through high-profile academic and research achievements, but also through the dedication of people who ensure that the institution functions every day.
A gesture of appreciation
As part of the farewell, the Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences also expressed its appreciation for Claire’s years of service.
Representing the Department, Dr. Christine Nalwadda presented Claire with a cash envelope on behalf of the staff as a token of appreciation for her commitment and contribution to the School.
A new chapter begins
As Claire leaves the School of Public Health, she takes with her the memories of 14 years of service and the goodwill of the many people she encountered along the way.
For the colleagues who gathered to celebrate her, the farewell was not simply about marking the end of employment. It was about celebrating a colleague who had become part of the fabric of the School.
As she begins this new chapter, the School of Public Health joins together in saying:
“Thank you, Claire, for 14 years of dedicated service. Thank you for the early mornings, the long evenings, the smiles, the patience and the unwavering commitment.
May retirement bring you the good health, peace, happiness and prosperity you so richly deserve.”
General
50 Master’s Students Awarded Scholarships Under the Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University
By Damali Mukhaye
The Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University, an initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation, has awarded scholarships to 50 young people to pursue master’s studies as part of its continued investment in developing the next generation of African climate leaders, researchers, and innovators.
After a competitive process that attracted 483 applications, 50 scholars who make up the second cohort of master’s scholars under the Africa Climate Collaborative were formally presented with their scholarship award letters by the Vice chancellor at a joint scholarships award ceremony for Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University held on 20th August, 2026, at the School of Public Health Auditorium.
Of the 483 applicants received, 182 were female and 301 were male, while 64 were international applicants.
Prof. Claire Mack Mugasa, the Chairperson of the Africa Climate Collaborative Selection Sub-Committee, said that the selection process was undertaken by an 11-member committee mandated to identify 50 master’s scholars and 12 PhD scholars for the academic year 2026/2027.
Following the initial assessment, 307 applicants were admitted to Makerere University, including 119 females, 188 males, and 14 of those admitted were international students. The selection process then proceeded to further shortlisting, with 150 candidates identified for interviews and 100 subjected to status validation before the final 50 scholars were selected.
Prof. Mugasa said the final selection reflected the program’s commitment to inclusion and equitable access to educational opportunities. She commended the Selection Sub-Committee for its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent process.
“Today, I present to you the 50 scholars, Cohort Two of the Africa Climate Collaborative,” she said while presenting the scholars to Prof. Ibrahim Okumu, the Dean, School of Economics, who represented the Vice Chancellor.
Of the 50 successful scholars, 34, representing 68 per cent, are female and 16, representing 32 per cent, are male. The cohort also includes four international students, five persons with disabilities, four refugees and internally displaced persons, and four young people from refugee-hosting communities and minority tribes of Uganda, while the remaining 33 scholars are from other categories of Ugandan nationals.
The new cohort brings the total number of Master’s scholars supported by the Africa Climate Collaborative to 85, out of the 250 Master’s scholarships planned over the eight-year implementation period.
The programme has also awarded scholarships to 18 PhD scholars, out of the 40 PhD scholarships expected to be awarded during the programme period.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics, welcomed the new scholars to Makerere University and congratulated them upon receiving the scholarships.
He described the occasion as a celebration of diversity, inclusion, education, and the strong partnership between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation.
Prof. Okumu noted that the scholarships provide academically talented young people with opportunities to pursue their education regardless of their background or circumstances. He encouraged the scholars to view the scholarship not only as an award but also as a responsibility to lead, innovate, and serve their communities.
He urged them to make full use of Makerere’s academic resources, mentorship, and networks while maintaining discipline, integrity, and a clear vision for their future.
He also appreciated the Mastercard Foundation, programme teams, university leadership, and staff for supporting the initiatives and creating opportunities for young people to contribute to Uganda and Africa’s development.
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation in Uganda, challenged scholars to view their opportunity not simply as an academic award but as a platform to become transformative leaders capable of creating solutions for their communities and Africa.
Bukenya encouraged the scholars to take full advantage of their experience at Makerere University, build meaningful relationships, and apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to address challenges around them. He emphasised that the responsibility of a scholar extends beyond personal success to creating positive change for families, communities and society.
He urged the scholars, particularly those joining the Africa Climate Collaborative, to see themselves as part of a wider effort to address Africa’s development challenges through innovation, leadership, and practical solutions. Africa Climate Collaborative seeks to equip young Africans with knowledge, skills, and resources to respond to climate change while promoting sustainable solutions, innovation, entrepreneurship, and green jobs.
“You need to solve problems. Remember, you’re not here to be part of the problem,” Mr. Bukenya told scholars before reminding them that their success carries a responsibility to give back and contribute to transforming their communities and the continent.
The Africa Climate Collaborative Programme Director, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, described the scholarship award as more than an opportunity for young people to obtain university education. She said the scholarships represent a strategic investment in Africa’s human capital at a time when communities across the continent are increasingly experiencing the effects of climate change.
“Climate change is no longer a distant challenge. Communities are already experiencing changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, floods, declining agricultural productivity, environmental degradation, and other challenges affecting livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems,” Prof. Nabanoga said.
She encouraged the scholars to take full advantage of their time at Makerere University by engaging with lecturers and mentors, participating in research and innovation activities, collaborating across disciplines, and learning from communities before challenging them to go beyond obtaining academic qualifications and develop the ability to identify problems, ask relevant questions, and generate solutions that can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable Africa.
Mercy Malende, one of the scholarship beneficiaries pursuing a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering, expressed excitement about being among the 50 young people selected for the Africa Climate Collaborative scholarship.
She said the scholarship has given her an opportunity to pursue her academic goals while gaining knowledge and skills that will enable her to contribute to addressing climate change challenges in Uganda. She appreciated the Africa Climate Collaborative and its partners for investing in young people and creating opportunities for them to advance their education. She said she looks forward to making the most of the opportunity and using her knowledge to contribute to sustainable agricultural development.
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