Makerere University lands 23rd spot in Africa ranking

Makerere University, Uganda’s oldest institution of higher learning, has been positioned 23rd in Africa and 639th among global universities in the US News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings for 2026-2027. The university achieved an overall global score of 44.9 percent.

This ranking places Makerere outside the top 20 universities on the continent. The US News assessment is based on academic research and reputation, as well as faculty strength, utilizing 13 performance indicators. These include global and regional research reputation, publications, citation impact, and international collaboration.

At a regional level, Makerere was identified as the top university. The University of Nairobi in Kenya followed at 35th in Africa and 809th globally, with the University of Rwanda ranking 89th continentally. Other regional institutions, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science and the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, were ranked 92nd and 93rd in Africa, respectively.

Makerere’s academic registrar, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, stated that he had not yet reviewed the specific methodology used by US News. He indicated that the university holds the rankings from Times Higher Education in higher regard due to their comprehensive evaluation of research, teaching, community, and policy engagement. “Makerere has always been graded at a higher rank. I don’t know where Makerere didn’t fare well because 23rd place is a bit on the lower side,” Prof Buyinza commented, suggesting the US News ranking might have focused on a single parameter.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe echoed these sentiments, noting this was the first time the institution was evaluated by this particular agency. He highlighted that Makerere has consistently received better rankings from other reputable agencies, including The Times Higher Education’s 2025 ranking, which placed Makerere 12th in Africa. The university plans to thoroughly examine the criteria used in the latest US News report. Previously, the 2023 sub-Saharan Africa University rankings had placed Makerere fifth on the continent.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/makerere-university-ranked-23rd-in-africa-5505830