Makerere University has announced plans to gradually reduce its undergraduate student intake while expanding graduate enrollment, as part of a long-term strategy to reposition the institution as a research-led university.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, said the shift is intended to strengthen postgraduate training and boost the university’s research output. He revealed that by 2030, Makerere aims for graduate students to make up at least 30 percent of its total student population.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that the transition will be implemented progressively to maintain quality and ensure sustainability.
Supporting the move, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, pointed out that Uganda now has over 60 universities, including more than 13 public institutions, many of which focus on undergraduate training.
“Continuing to admit very large numbers of undergraduates would duplicate what other universities are already doing,” Prof. Ssali said, adding that Makerere’s long history of graduate training, robust research infrastructure, and strong local and international partnerships place it in a unique position to concentrate on advanced research and postgraduate education.
She explained that Makerere can instead support sister institutions to strengthen undergraduate training nationwide while it focuses on producing high-level researchers and specialists.
The announcement comes ahead of Makerere University’s 76th graduation ceremony, scheduled for February 24 to 27, 2026, at Freedom Square.
According to the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, a total of 8,432 students are expected to graduate. These include 185 PhD graduates (72 females and 113 males), 2,034 master’s degree graduates (1,003 females and 1,031 males), 137 postgraduate diploma recipients, and 6,043 undergraduate graduates, comprising 2,862 females and 3,191 males.
Prof. Buyinza noted that the figure is significantly lower than last year’s 13,662 graduates, attributing the decline to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that some students admitted in 2022 for diploma and special skills programmes are only now completing their studies following the suspension of direct Advanced Level entry admissions during the pandemic period.
In a notable development, the Academic Registrar also announced that Makerere University will, for the first time, issue academic transcripts on the same day of graduation, a move aimed at easing graduates’ transition into employment and further studies.
University officials say the new strategic direction underscores Makerere’s ambition to consolidate its status as a leading research university in Africa while responding to changes in Uganda’s higher education landscape.
