If getting into Makerere University’s Bachelor of Laws programme is on your list for the 2026/2027 academic year, your first hurdle has a date: Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
The Academic Registrar has officially announced the Pre-Entry Examination for admission to the Bachelor of Laws — and every single applicant, regardless of their academic background, must sit and pass it. There are no exemptions.
Here is everything you need to know.
There are four categories of applicants, each with their own entry requirements.
A-Level Leavers must hold a UCE certificate with at least five passes, plus a UACE certificate with a minimum of 13 points for males and 12 points for females, in any A-Level combination — whether humanities or sciences. If you sat A-Level before 2013, the requirement is higher: 15 points for males and 14 for females.
Diploma Holders must have at least a Second Class or Credit Diploma from a recognised institution. Importantly, certified copies of your diploma transcripts — not provisional results — must be attached to your application. Provisional results will not be accepted.
Mature Age Applicants must have passed the Makerere University Mature Age Entry Examination for Bachelor of Laws, specifically the sittings held on December 14, 2024 or December 13, 2025.
Degree Holders must be graduates in any discipline from a chartered university. Like diploma holders, certified copies of degree transcripts are required — no provisional results. Note that degree holders are not eligible for government sponsorship.
Several critical deadlines have already passed or are approaching fast. Diploma holders interested in government sponsorship must have applied by March 13, 2026. Degree and diploma holders seeking private sponsorship — for both the day programme (LAW) and afternoon programme (LAA) — must also have applied by March 13, 2026.
For A-Level direct entry applicants interested in private sponsorship, applications open when Makerere’s general admissions advert comes out in April 2026 — so watch that space closely.
What To Bring And What To Prepare
When registering, every applicant must upload scanned PDF copies of their original academic documents, a valid identification document — A-level applicants can use their former school ID, while all others need a valid current ID — and a recent colour passport photograph with a white background.
Your active email address and mobile phone number are mandatory. These will be the primary channels through which Makerere will reach you after submission. Do not list someone else’s contact details, even if they helped you apply.
On the day of the exam, report to the Examination Coordination Venue at LLT 1A, COCIS Block B. Applicants with visual impairment should come with laptops installed with a computer Braille programme and will be directed to their allocated venue from there.
What Will Get Your Results Cancelled Immediately
Makerere is not taking shortcuts lightly this year. The university has spelled out clearly that impersonation, falsification of documents, fraudulent access, or submitting false or incomplete information — whether discovered on exam day, at registration, or at any point afterwards — will result in automatic cancellation of results, cancellation of admission, revocation of any award already given, and prosecution in a court of law.
Smart gadgets are also strictly prohibited in the examination venue. This includes mobile phones, scientific calculators, and smart watches. If you are found with any smart gadget during the exam, your results will be cancelled on the spot — no exceptions.
Admission to Makerere’s Bachelor of Laws is based entirely on your performance in the pre-entry examination. With specific intake capacities set for each category — private day, private afternoon, A-level, diploma, mature age, degree, and international applicants — competition will be stiff.
The full details of available slots per category are on the Makerere University website. Check them, know where you stand, and prepare accordingly.
The exam is April 18. The clock is ticking.
