Makerere University 2025/2026 Admissions: 21,000+ Students Admitted Under Private Sponsorship Scheme
- Afri Careers
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
Makerere University Admits Over 21,000 Students Under Private Sponsorship in 2025/2026
Makerere University has released the admission list for the 2025/2026 academic year, confirming that 21,397 students have been accepted under the private sponsorship scheme. Among them, 497 are international students, reinforcing Makerere’s role as a regional academic hub and a leader in East African higher education.
While the sheer volume of admissions signals growth and continued dominance, a closer look at the numbers uncovers key insights into academic preferences, program popularity, and sector-wide imbalances.
According to Charles Ssentongo, Makerere’s Deputy Academic Registrar for Undergraduate Admissions, around 10,000 students will study at the main campus, while over 11,000 will enroll at Makerere University Business School (MUBS).
This near parity reflects the surging demand for business and management-related programs, which now overshadow traditional science disciplines. Notably, Business Administration (Evening) and Business Administration (Day) topped MUBS' admissions with 899 and 885 students, respectively.
In stark contrast, programs like Bachelor of Science in Dental Laboratory Technology and Dental Surgery attracted just 31 and 21 students, respectively—raising concerns about Uganda’s ability to meet its healthcare workforce needs.
Courses such as Accounting, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and Quantity Surveying recorded the highest cutoff points—52.5, 50.8, and 50.8 respectively. Meanwhile, less competitive programs like Travel and Tourism had a cutoff of just 17.3 points.
These figures reveal where students (and their families) believe the best job prospects lie, signaling a job-market-driven approach to course selection.
In a significant development, the Government also released a list of students with disabilities who qualified for state sponsorship. These students, coming from diverse regions such as Bududa, Yumbe, Kasese, and Kitgum, will join institutions including Makerere, MUBS, Kyambogo, Gulu University, and MUST.
This move underscores Uganda's increasing emphasis on inclusive education, ensuring that no group is left behind in the pursuit of academic advancement.
While private admissions are increasing access to higher education, a pattern has emerged—a concentration in a few popular disciplines and continued neglect of science and health programs. This imbalance presents a challenge for universities trying to meet both student demand and national development priorities.
As Uganda’s flagship university, Makerere must not only cater to market preferences but also guide students toward under-enrolled but nationally vital programs. Incentives, improved infrastructure, and career awareness could play a role in correcting the tilt.
The 2025/2026 Makerere University private admissions mark a significant milestone with more than 21,000 students entering the higher education system. However, the true impact will be determined by how effectively institutions balance quantity with quality, and how they respond to both market trends and national needs.
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