Makerere University

Makerere University (Mak) is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922. It became an independent national university in 1970. Today, Makerere University is composed of nine colleges and one school offering programmes for about 36,000 undergraduates and 4,000 postgraduates. The main administrative block was gutted by fire in September 2020 and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.
U.S. News & World Report has ranked Makerere University as the eighth best university in Africa and the 569th best university worldwide. In the 2020 U.S. News & World Report ranking, Makerere is the highest-ranked university in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2016 ranked it as the fourth best university in Africa.
Makerere University is the alma mater of many post-independence African leaders, including Ugandan president Milton Obote and Tanzanian presidents Julius Nyerere and Benjamin Mkapa. The former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, and former Kenyan president the late Mwai Kibaki are also Makerere alumni.
In the years immediately after Uganda's independence, Makerere University was a focal point for the literary activity that was central to African nationalist culture. Many prominent writers, including Nuruddin Farah, Ali Mazrui, David Rubadiri, Okello Oculi, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, John Ruganda, Paul Theroux, Nobel Prize laureate V. S. Naipaul, and Peter Nazareth, were at Makerere University at one point in their writing and academic careers.
Because of student unrest and faculty disenchantment, the university was closed three times between 2006 and 2016. The final time was on 1 November 2016 when President Yoweri Museveni declared it closed indefinitely. The university was reopened in January 2017.
History
Founding of the technical school
The trade school that became Makerere University began operating in 1921 with the first classes in carpentry, building construction and mechanics. In 1922 it was founded as the "Uganda Technical College" with additional courses in the arts, education, agriculture and medicine. That same year it was again renamed as Makerere College. In 1928, the vocational classes were separated from the college and renamed Kampala Technical School. In 1937 the college began offering post-secondary education certificate courses.
University
In 1943, the British Protectorate government proposed the university, which led to a controversial struggle. It was described as "a plot to steal African soil for European settlement," by the Bataka Party. In response to this campaign, there was rioting in the capital of Kampala.
In 1949 Makerere College was granted university status and its name became Makerere College, University of East Africa. In the same year, the Bataka Party had been banned by the British Protectorate government, because of acts of riot and arson committed after a Bataka protest gathering.
Unrest in the 2000s
The university was closed three times between 2006 and 2016.
Beginning on 1 August 2016, the non-teaching staff went on strike demanding their back pay. The strike lasted three weeks and the government agreed to pay them by the end of October; however, the government failed to do so. This was but one more broken promise in the cycle of failed promises, strikes and more promises. That strike was followed by a strike of the lecturers over unpaid incentive pay, and that strike was joined by students in solidarity. This led to President Yoweri Museveni closing the university "indefinitely". Additional protests, including from parents whose children were left hanging in mid-semester, led to Museveni appointing a special commission to try to rectify the situation but with no promises of reopening. The commission's report was due in late February 2017.
On the 20th of September, 2020, the main building of Makerere University (the Ivory Tower) was severely damaged by fire, allegedly following a probe by Uganda Parliament into financial mismanagement by university authorities.
100 Years Anniversary
In 2022, the university celebrated its centenary since its establishment as Makerere College in 1922. The institution was granted additional land for expansion into a university by Nsibirwa, a former Prime Minister of the Buganda Kingdom, in 1945. Despite facing numerous challenges in Uganda's political, social, and academic history, the institution has persevered for a century.
On October 7, 2022, a ceremony commemorating the centenary was held at Freedom Square, with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in attendance. A statue monument was unveiled at the entrance of the university's Freedom Square to mark this significant milestone in Uganda's educational sector.
Organization
The University Council is the supreme governing body of the university while the Senate is the chief academic organ of the university.
Subcommittees of the University Council
Appointments Board
Finance, Planning and Administration
Quality Assurance, Gender and ICT
Estates and Works
Staff Development, Welfare and Retirement Benefits
Students Affairs and Disciplinary
Honorary Awards
Audit
Notable former and current faculty administrators
Barnabas Nawangwe, architect, academic and current Vice Chancellor
John Ddumba Ssentamu, economist, academic and banker, former Vice Chancellor
Venansius Baryamureeba, computer scientist, former Vice Chancellor
Hugh Dinwiddy, lecturer in literature, warden of Northcote Hall
George Kirya, microbiologist, diplomat, academic, former Vice Chancellor at Makerere and former Chairman of Uganda Health Services Commission
Mahmood Mamdani, political scientist and historian
Ali Mazrui, academic, historian and political scientist
Apolo Nsibambi, former Prime Minister of Uganda and former Chancellor of Makerere University
Joe Oloka-Onyango, former Dean of Law and human rights expert
Okot p'Bitek, poet
John Ssebuwufu, a chemist, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, current Chancellor of Kyambogo University
David Serwadda, former dean, School of Public Health
Nelson Sewankambo, principal, College of Health Sciences
Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, current dean of students, Makerere University School of Medicine
Sylvia Tamale, lawyer, academic, women's rights activist
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, novelist
Timothy Wangusa, author, poet, one time minister of education
David Wasawo, zoologist and educationist, former vice principal
William Bazeyo, former Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health (2009–2017). Deputy Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, responsible for Finance and Administration, since September 2017.
Other academics
Rose Mbowa - Theatre academic, playwright and actress - formerly Head of Department of Music, Dance and Drama
Hakim Sendagire - Physician, biochemist and microbiologist. Current Dean of Habib Medical School
Charles Olweny - Physician, oncologist, medical researcher. Former Vice Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University. Current Chancellor of Mbarara University.
Paul D'Arbela - Physician, cardiologist, academic. Dean of the Mother Kevin Postgraduate Medical School, Nsambya.
Celestino Obua - Physician, pharmacologist, academic. Current Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University.
Catherine Abbo, medical doctor and researcher
Raphael Owor, medical doctor, former Chancellor of Mbarara University, former professor of Pathology at Makerere University School of Medicine.
Notable alumni
List of Makerere University academics
Political figures and government employees
Lucy Akello, Ugandan politician, who serves as the elected member of parliament for the Amuru District Women's Constituency, in the 10th Parliament.
Samuel Awich (1973), justice of the Supreme Court of Belize
Kizza Besigye, physician, retired colonel in the Uganda People's Defence Force. Opposition politician, former leader of the Forum for Democratic Change party, presidential candidate in 2001, 2006, and 2011.
Godfrey Binaisa, former president of Uganda
Gilbert Bukenya, former vice-president of Uganda
Kanyama Chiume, a Malawian who worked for the independence of Nyasaland (now Malawi)
Moses Ebuk, physician, neurophyiologist, former lecturer and tutor in the department of physiology at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences, diplomat. Ambassador of Uganda to the Russian Federation.
Daphrosa Gahakwa, Rwandan education minister
Aloisea Inyumba, Rwandan minister for gender and family promotion
Joseph Kabila, Congolese politician and president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Allen Kagina, Public Administrator
Filemona F. Indire former Kenyan ambassador, leading educator and member of parliament.
Patrick Karegeya, former Rwandan head of intelligence
Andrew Felix Kaweesi, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Uganda, a military officer and policeman. He was the Spokesperson of Uganda Police Force from August 2016 to 2017.
Specioza Kazibwe, former vice-president of Uganda
Mwai Kibaki, the third president of Kenya from December 2002 until April 2013. Graduated at the top of his class (summa cum laude) in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.
Samson Kisekka, former vice-president of Uganda
Benedicto Kiwanuka, first prime minister and first chief justice of Uganda
Crispus Kiyonga, physician, minister of defense of Uganda
Sam Kutesa, Uganda's foreign affairs minister. president of the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly
Henry Kyemba, minister of health under Idi Amin
Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Center
Yusuf Lule, former president of Uganda
Norbert Mao, former guild president of Makerere University and current president of Democratic Party
Amama Mbabazi, former secretary general of the National Resistance Movement and former prime minister of Uganda
Benjamin Mkapa, former Tanzanian politician and former president of Tanzania
Jennifer Musisi, Lawyer and Public Administrator
Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi, government minister and former Katikkiro of Buganda (1964–1966, 1993–1994)
Apolo Nsibambi, former prime minister of Uganda and former chancellor of Makerere University
Julius Nyerere, Tanzanian politician and the first president of Tanzania
Anthony Ochaya, Ugandan Minister of Planning and Economic Development under the UNLF regime, World Bank official
Oginga Odinga, Kenyan politician and the first vice president of Kenya
Milton Obote, two-time former president of Uganda
Ruhakana Rugunda, prime minister of Uganda, physician, and former permanent representative of Uganda to the United Nations
Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, governor, Bank of Uganda
Bobi Wine, (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu), Ugandan politician, businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, musician, freedom fighter and actor
Anita Annet Among, Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda (2021 - 2026), from 25 March 2022, after serving as the Deputy Speaker from 24 May 2021 until 25 March 2022.
Film, television and radio
Akite Agnes, Ugandan comedian and actress
Hannington Bugingo, Ugandan comedian and actor
Anne Kansiime, Ugandan comedian and actress
Cleopatra Koheirwe, Ugandan actress, singer and media personality
Teacher Mpamire, aka Herbert Mendo Ssegujja, Ugandan comedian and actor
Morris Mugisha, actor, producer and director
Alex Muhangi, Ugandan Comedian and actor
Housen Mushema, Ugandan actor and model
Edwin Musiime, television host
Rehema Nanfuka, Ugandan Actress, director and producer
Crystal Newman, Ugandan media personality, MC and motivational speaker.
Gladys Oyenbot, Ugandan actress and producer
Mowzey Radio Aka Moses Nakintije Ssekibogo, Ugandan singer
Sports people
Henry Osinde – Ugandan born Cricketer currently Canadian fast bowler.
Moses Muhangi - president of Uganda Boxing Federation
Writers and journalists
Christopher Henry Muwanga Barlow
Jane Kaberuka, novelist
Daniel Kalinaki, journalist
Paul Busharizi, Mulitiple Award-winning Journalist, Economic and Political Analyst, communications strategist, Former Reuters Correspondent for Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Author of "The House that Museveni Built"
Micere Githae Mugo Kenyan novelist, poet, activist
John Nagenda, writer, political commentator and adviser to the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni
Peter Nazareth, author, critic
Michael Nsimbi, "Father of Ganda literature"
Barbie Kyagulanyi, writer and activist
Okello Oculi, author, poet
Charles Onyango-Obbo, journalist and political commentator
Mark Ouma, athletics journalist and former philosophy lecturer at Makerere
David Rubadiri, poet, novelist, diplomat
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Kenyan novelist
Hilda Twongyeirwe, editor, poet, shortstory writer
Timothy Wangusa, author, poet, one-time minister of education
Elvania Namukwaya Zirimu, poet and dramatist
Scientists
Andrew Kambugu, physician, Sande-McKinnell Executive Director at the Uganda Infectious Disease Institute
Joshua Sikhu Okonya, agronomist and entomologist.
Robert Kezaala, physician, Senior Health Advisor at UNICEF
Matthew Lukwiya, physician in Gulu during the 2000 Ebola outbreak
Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu, psychiatrist and epidemiologist
Christine Obbo, socio-cultural anthropologist
Others
Iddah Asin, lawyer and Johnson & Johnson executive
Nkulanga Enock, children's rights activist
Busingye Kabumba, poet, lawyer and lecturer at law.
Laeticia Kikonyogo, lawyer and judge
Patrick Mazimhaka, deputy chairperson of the African Union's African Commission
Andrew Mwenda, the managing director of the "Independent" Newspaper in Uganda
Lilian Mary Nabulime, sculptor
Harry Nkumbula, a leader during Zambia's struggle for independence
Olara Otunnu, former United Nations under-secretary general and special representative for children and armed conflict
John Sentamu, Anglican Archbishop of York, England, the first black Archbishop of the Church of England
Martin Ssempa, controversial Ugandan pastor and AIDS activist
Halls of residence
As of September 2015, the halls of residence at Makerere University included the following:
For men
Livingstone Hall
Lumumba Hall
Mitchell Hall
Nkrumah Hall
Nsibirwa Hall
University Hall
For women
Africa Hall
Mary Stuart Hall
Complex Hall
For students of medicine in their final years
Galloway House
Postgraduate Hall
Dag Hammarskjöld Hostel
Upcountry campuses
In January 2010, the university announced the opening of two new campuses, one in the city of Fort Portal, approximately , by road, west of Kampala, and another one in the city of Jinja, approximately , by road, east of Kampala. The following courses will be offered at the upcountry campuses:
Eastern Campus, Jinja
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Information Technology
Bachelor of Development Studies
Bachelor of Tourism
Replacement of main building
In September 2020 a fire gutted the Main Building of Makerere University, normally called the Main Building, destroying university records and the building structure. A subsequent investigation by an eleven-person team could not establish a definite cause of the fire but pointed to an electric fault as a likely cause.
In August 2021, the Cabinet of Uganda resolved to break down what remained of the Main Building after the fire. A new building, which will be designed to look like the original structure, will be erected at the same location, at a budgeted cost of UGX:21 billion (approx. US$6 million).
The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded to Excel Construction Company Limited. a Ugandan company and a subsidiary of the Madhvani Group. The reconstruction process began in April 2022, starting with tearing down the structurally unsound original building, built in the 1930s and commissioned in 1941.
See also
African Geographical Review
African Writers Conference
East African Geographical Review
List of universities in Uganda
Makerere College School
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Student movements in Uganda
References
External links
Makerere University news
1922 establishments in Uganda
Buildings and structures in Kampala
Central Region, Uganda
Education in Kampala
Universities and colleges established in 1922
Engineering universities and colleges in Uganda
Forestry education
Forestry in Uganda
Public universities
Universities and colleges in Uganda