Kampala International University (KIU) has once again been ranked Uganda’s top private university and the second-best university nationally, according to the January 2026 Webometrics Global Ranking of Universities.
In the latest assessment, KIU maintained its strong standing, placing just behind Makerere University, Uganda’s oldest and largest public institution. The ranking underscores KIU’s sustained competitiveness within the country’s higher education sector and its growing academic footprint beyond national borders.
At the regional level, KIU ranked fifth in East Africa, trailing Makerere University, the University of Nairobi, the University of Dar es Salaam, and Kenyatta University. This performance positions KIU among East Africa’s leading universities and reflects its increasing influence within the regional academic landscape.
Webometrics, the world’s largest university ranking system, evaluates institutions using a multidimensional methodology that focuses on academic visibility, research output, and digital presence. The ranking places particular emphasis on how universities contribute to and engage with the global knowledge ecosystem through online scholarly content and research dissemination.
KIU’s continued strong showing has been attributed to sustained investments in digital infrastructure, deliberate strengthening of research capacity, and strategic communication initiatives aimed at enhancing global visibility. These factors have become increasingly critical in determining institutional competitiveness in the digital age.
The latest results further consolidate KIU’s reputation as a forward-looking institution committed to innovation, academic excellence, and meaningful engagement at both regional and global levels. As competition intensifies within Africa’s higher education sector, KIU’s consistent performance signals its ambition to remain a key player in shaping the future of university education in Uganda and the wider East African region.
