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Makerere University Strengthens Academic Excellence with Massive Staff Recruitment, Infrastructure Expansion Ahead of New Academic Year

Ssemaganda Moses Hope
By Ssemaganda Moses Hope


Makerere University Strengthens Academic Excellence with Massive Staff Recruitment, Infrastructure Expansion Ahead of New Academic Year
Makerere University Strengthens Academic Excellence with Massive Staff Recruitment, Infrastructure Expansion Ahead of New Academic Year

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KAMPALA – Makerere University has announced a series of landmark developments that underscore its commitment to academic excellence, research, innovation and infrastructure development as preparations for the 2026/2027 Academic Year gather momentum.

 

 

Speaking during a press conference held at the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room on Wednesday, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said the University is steadily implementing its Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which seeks to position Makerere as a leading institution driving Uganda’s and Africa’s development through quality teaching, cutting-edge research, innovation and societal transformation.

 

Prof. Nawangwe revealed that the University has made significant investments in strengthening its human resource capacity through strategic recruitment and promotions. Over the past year, Makerere recruited 240 new staff members, comprising 88 academic staff and 152 non-academic employees, while 81 members of staff were promoted in recognition of their academic and professional achievements.

 

 

Among the academic promotions, 16 Assistant Lecturers advanced to the rank of Lecturer, 16 Lecturers were promoted to Senior Lecturer, 25 Senior Lecturers became Associate Professors, while eight Associate Professors attained the rank of Professor. The Vice Chancellor said the appointments reflect the University’s commitment to merit-based recruitment, academic excellence and creating an enabling environment that attracts, develops and retains highly qualified professionals capable of delivering quality education, research and public service.

 

He noted that although the institution continues to experience staffing challenges arising from retirements, resignations and specialised staffing needs, these have consistently been addressed through targeted recruitment, post-retirement contracts for senior professors and continuous staff development programmes.

 

 

The Vice Chancellor also announced that Makerere University is fully prepared to receive students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. Freshers’ Orientation Week will run from 1st to 7th August 2026, followed by the commencement of Semester One on 8th August, which will run until 5th December 2026. Semester One examinations are scheduled between 16th November and 5th December, while the University’s 77th Graduation Ceremony will take place from 11th to 15th January 2027 before Semester Two begins on 16th January 2027. He added that provisional admission letters for both undergraduate and graduate students are already available through individual application portals and encouraged admitted students to complete the necessary financial requirements early to facilitate smooth registration.

 

As part of its continued infrastructure expansion, the University announced the commencement of the comprehensive renovation of the historic CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence, a project fully funded by the Government of Uganda at a cost of UGX 12 billion. The renovation works have been handed over to the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and are expected to be completed within 12 months.

Built in the 1950s, the female hall of residence will undergo extensive structural rehabilitation and modernization aimed at improving accommodation standards and enhancing students’ welfare. Prof. Nawangwe expressed confidence in NEC’s ability to deliver quality work, noting that the corporation has successfully undertaken previous projects at the University, including the renovation of Lumumba Hall, Mary Stuart Hall and the University’s perimeter wall.

 

 

Makerere University will also host the East African Universities Debate Championships (EAUDC) 2026 from 26th July to 1st August 2026, bringing together leading university debaters from across the region. The event is expected to promote intellectual exchange, leadership development and regional academic collaboration while reinforcing Makerere’s position as one of East Africa’s premier institutions of higher learning.

 

 

Prof. Nawangwe further highlighted the University’s growing contribution to public health through the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), which has emerged as a key institution supporting Africa’s response to the current Ebola outbreak. He noted that on 26th June 2026, Makerere hosted the launch of the Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST), a partnership between Africa CDC and WHO Africa, at the IDI McKinnell Knowledge Centre.

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