By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
Management of Makerere University has today September 15, 2026, announced the introduction of a Digital Tracking framework that will help to monitor students’ academic progress.
In the same vein, the University announced the reinstatement of Supplementary Exams for students in their final year of study to ease the burden on finalists who return to the university to do their retakes.
While addressing the media at the University Main building, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said the digital tracking framework would help the university to achieve it’s goal of becoming a research -led University by turning concern about graduation completion into institutional action. He added that digital framework turns Master’s, PHD progress and completion milestones into a University -wide monitoring and accountability system.
Prof. Nawangwe reported that this academic year 2026/2027, the University admitted 7,000 students for graduate programs, something he says implies the University is moving in the right direction.
He also revealed that this academic year the university was able to admit 25,832 students out of 96,000 students who applied to join the University. On this note, he noted that the University would have admitted more students but due to limited space, it was able to admit only 25,832 students.
Regarding the Supplementary Exams, Prof. Nawangwe, said the exams have been reinstated to support students’ progress especially finalists while protecting academic standards. He emphasized that Makerere will hold one supplementary examination session each year at the end of semester two and before the next academic year begins.
Prof. Nawangwe further revealed that Makerere University was recently ranked the 11th top University in Africa and 776 in the whole world. He said the ranking places Makerere University the top University in Uganda and East Africa.
In July 2026, Webometrics ranking of World Universities, moved Makerere University from 1,071st in 2025 to 776th in 2026. When compared to January 2026 edition, the University improved from 925th to 776th globally and from 13th to 11th in Africa.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Dr. Sarah Ssali, noted that all academic processes and research work have been digitized to eliminate paper work that is prone to forgery.
Dr. Sarah said in order to address the issue of limited infrastructures, the University has embarked on expanding it’s infrastructures citing the new graduate building which is nearing completion plus another new building which will support distance learning.
Associate Prof. Charles Niwagaba who lectures at the College of Engineering, announced the introduction of a two-year flower project worth 1.7 million USD. He said the project will turn restaurant wastes into animal feeds and fertilizers hence improving waste management in Kampala City.
Assoc. Prof. Niwagaba also revealed that the two-year project was informed by an earlier research conducted in 2023, which saw 2000 proposals submitted to donors but only the Flower project was selected and eventually funded.
“Initially we started with restaurant wastes from 50 restaurants within Kampala City but now we target 5,000 restaurants within the same area. We shall quantify the waste generated from these restaurants,”Assoc. Prof. Niwagaba said.
The Acting Dean of students at Makerere University, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, announced the sixth Makerere University marathon slated for September 27, 2026, adding that the marathon will bring together students, staff, alumni, partners and the public to raise funds. He disclosed that the proceeds will support the Disability Support Center at Makerere University.
Dr. Rodney Rugyema further disclosed that the University will hold a medical camp this week from 17-18, September 2026 at the Freedom Square. He noted that the two- day medical camp will offer free essential and specialized healthcare services to students, staff and the neighboring community.
