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Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions

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USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions

KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.

The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.

SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.

Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.

“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.

Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.

“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.

SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.

The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.

— ENDS —

Photos from the event

Prof. Henry Alinaitwe addresses participants at the launch. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda's underserved regions, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe addresses participants at the launch.

Ms. Kristine Blokhus. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda's underserved regions, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Kristine Blokhus.

Part of the audience at the event. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda's underserved regions, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Part of the audience at the event.

Some of the young people that attended the event. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda's underserved regions, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the young people that attended the event.

Prof. Henry Alinaitwe signs the commemorative piece. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda's underserved regions, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe signs the commemorative piece.

L-R: Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Dr. Charles Olaro, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, Amb. Signe Winding Albjerg, Amb. Maria Håkansson, Amb. Frederieke Quispel, Amb. Unnur Orradottir Ramette, Ms. Kristine Blokhus and a young lady during the press interviews. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda's underserved regions, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
L-R: Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Dr. Charles Olaro, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, Amb. Signe Winding Albjerg, Amb. Maria Håkansson, Amb. Frederieke Quispel, Amb. Unnur Orradottir Ramette, Ms. Kristine Blokhus and a young lady during the press interviews.

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Applications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2026/27

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Students in discussion groups in Freedom Square on 1st April 2026.

UPDATE 25th May 2026

  • Application deadline extended to 28th May 2026.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 Academic Year for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.

Each applicant should:

Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2025, 2024 and 2023 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.

Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Monday 20th April 2026. 

A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals  plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.                                           

 Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Level results should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.

How to submit your application                                            

  1. Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug/
  2. Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
  3. A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.                                      
  4. The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
  5. To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.                                              
  6. Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
  7. Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority                                            

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:                                                 

  1. Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel                                                             
  2. Select option 3-Admission                                                     
  3. Select option 3-Pay Fees
  4. Enter reference number obtained from Application portal 
  5. Details of Application form will be confirmed                                                              
  6. Enter PIN to confirm payment                                                            

The closing date for receiving applications shall be 28th May 2026.

WARNING:                                                             

  1. Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission.  The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
  2. Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office.  Those who buy them do so at their own risk. 
  3. The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.    
  4. Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.                                               

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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Admission List for Bachelor of Laws under Government Sponsorship 2026/27

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The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists for students admitted to the Bachelor of Laws under Government Sponsorship for the Academic Year 2026/2027.

Please note that the list below contains those who were admitted under the Direct (A’ Level Leavers), Diploma, and Mature Age Entry Schemes.

The admission list is shown below:

Related:

Pre-entry Examination Results for Admission to Bachelor of Laws 2026/2027

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Admission List to Bachelor of Education External (BED) 2026/27 -Government Sponsorship

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Graduands from College of Education and External Studies (CEES) at the 73rd Graduation on Tuesday 14th February 2023, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of Diploma holders provisionally admitted to Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL) programme under Private Sponsorship for the Academic Year 2026/2027 pending verification of their academic documents by the awarding institutions.

The List can be accessed by following the link below:

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