education 17 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Makerere University Approves 14,000 Undergraduate Slots While Boosting Postgraduate Enrollment
Makerere University will keep undergraduate admissions steady at 14,000 while doubling postgraduate students to 7,744 over five years, as announced by Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe during the launch of the institution's new strategic plan. The shift prioritizes quality education and aligns with Uganda's development goals, alongside a new assessment model favoring continuous evaluation. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mak-okays-admission-of-14-000-undergraduates-5394750
Makerere University has greenlit the admission of 14,000 undergraduate students, maintaining current levels while planning to significantly expand postgraduate enrollment. Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe shared this during the unveiling of the university’s five-year Strategic Plan for 2025/2026–2029/2030.
Postgraduate numbers will double from 3,874 to 7,744, aiming for graduates to make up 30 percent of the student body by 2030. This reverses earlier plans to cut undergraduate intake from 14,000 to 12,000, following council approval to prioritize quality over sheer numbers.
Prof Nawangwe noted past overcrowding issues when enrollment hit nearly 50,000, leading to reductions to about 35,000. He highlighted that boosting postgraduates promotes innovative teaching that meets societal needs and aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
The VC called for government scholarships or loans for postgraduates, pointing out that only 10 percent of PhD students finish on time due to costs ranging from Shs20m to Shs200m. Research through advanced degrees is key to national progress, he stressed.
At the recent 76th graduation, 31 percent of graduates were postgraduates, with targets to reach 50 percent by 2030. Prof Julius Kikooma, director of undergraduate training, mentioned flexible policies allowing dropouts to resume upon securing funds.
Additionally, Makerere is adopting a competence-based curriculum with continuous assessment weighting 60 percent of final marks and exams 40 percent, effective August 2026. This prepares for students from the new high school system, as required by the Ministry of Education by 2027.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)