Makerere University

Makerere University, Kampala, commonly known as Mak, is a place where tradition meets modernity. Founded in 1922 as a technical school, the university has come a long way to become Uganda’s largest and oldest institution of higher learning. With a total student population of 40,000, including undergraduates and postgraduates, Makerere University offers diverse academic programs across nine colleges and one school. The university has a rich history, having produced several African leaders, including Milton Obote, Julius Nyerere, Benjamin Mkapa, Joseph Kabila, and the late Mwai Kibaki, among others. Makerere University was also a focal point for African nationalist culture, attracting renowned writers such as Nuruddin Farah, Ali Mazrui, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, and Nobel Prize laureate V. S. Naipaul, to name a few. Despite several setbacks, including student unrest and faculty disenchantment, Makerere University has managed to maintain its high academic standards, as evidenced by its ranking as the eighth-best university in Africa by U.S. News & World Report. The university also ranked fourth-best in Africa in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2016. In September 2020, the university suffered a significant setback when its iconic administrative block, the Ivory Tower, was gutted by fire. While the cause of the fire is yet to be established, it is alleged that it was triggered by financial mismanagement by university authorities. Nevertheless, Makerere University remains resolute in its commitment to academic excellence, and it continues to offer a conducive environment for learning and research. If you are looking for an institution that blends academic excellence with rich history and culture, then Makerere University should be your top choice. From its outstanding academic programs to its beautiful campus, the university offers an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.