HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I A total of 1,672 students have been admitted under the government sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 academic year at Makerere University, marking a decline from the 1,732 students admitted under government sponsorship in the previous academic year.
The admissions cover students selected through the direct-entry scheme as well as special categories intended to widen access to higher education, including the district quota, talented sports men and women, and persons with disabilities.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued today by the Academic Registrar’s Office of Makerere University as the institution released admission lists for the new academic year.
Government slots fall by 60
The 1,672 government-sponsored places represent 60 fewer slots than the 1,732 places offered for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Although the reduction is relatively small compared with the overall number of students Makerere admits every year, government sponsorship remains one of the most sought-after avenues for university education because it enables successful candidates to study without bearing the full cost of tuition and other academic expenses.
In its latest admissions communication, the Academic Registrar’s Office listed several categories through which students have been admitted under government sponsorship.
These include direct entry, district quota, talented sports men and women and persons with disabilities.
The different categories are intended to provide opportunities to students with varying circumstances and abilities, rather than relying exclusively on the competitive direct-entry selection process.
District quota admissions remain provisional
Among the categories released by the university is the district quota scheme, which is designed to broaden geographical representation among students admitted to public universities.
However, Makerere has cautioned that admissions under the district quota remain provisional pending final verification by the respective districts.
This means students admitted through this category may still have to satisfy verification requirements before their admission is considered fully confirmed.
The university has also released lists covering talented sports men and women and applicants admitted under the persons with disabilities category.
Appeals and remarked cases have also been included among the admissions information released by the Academic Registrar’s Office.
Private admissions continue
While Makerere has released the government-sponsored admissions figure, the university has not yet provided a single comprehensive total for all students admitted under private or self-sponsorship across its various programmes.
The private admissions are being released under different categories and programmes rather than as one consolidated figure.
The university has listed direct-entry A-Level applicants with both Ugandan and foreign qualifications among those applying under private sponsorship.
Other categories include mature-age entry, the Diploma in Performing Arts and the Bachelor of Education (External Batch Two).
The absence of one aggregate private admissions figure means that the 1,672 figure should not be interpreted as representing Makerere University’s total intake for 2026/2027.
Instead, it represents specifically the number of students admitted under the government sponsorship arrangement.
Applicants urged to check admission lists
Makerere has advised applicants to consult the university’s official admissions information to establish whether they have been selected and under which sponsorship category.
The university has published the undergraduate admission lists and related updates through its news portal. Applicants can also access information concerning individual admission categories, including the government sponsorship lists.
Makerere University Undergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
The lists include information for applicants selected through the various government schemes as well as private sponsorship categories.
Applicants have also been advised to check the relevant programme cut-off points, which provide an indication of the academic weights required for admission to different courses.
The cut-off points are particularly important for applicants seeking to understand how their academic performance compares with the requirements for their preferred programmes.
Special categories broaden access
The inclusion of sportsmen and women and persons with disabilities in the government-sponsored admissions reflects Makerere’s efforts to recognise abilities and circumstances that may not be fully captured through conventional academic selection.
For talented athletes, university admission can provide an opportunity to combine higher education with continued development in sport.
Similarly, the disability category seeks to improve access to university education for students who may face additional barriers in pursuing higher education.
The district quota, meanwhile, gives applicants from different parts of the country an avenue to compete for designated places.
Together, the schemes form part of the broader government-sponsored admissions framework through which public universities distribute opportunities to Ugandan students.
Competition remains intense
The reduction in government-sponsored places from 1,732 to 1,672 also comes against the background of intense competition for university places.
Makerere remains one of Uganda’s most sought-after institutions, attracting applicants from across the country and beyond.
For many students and families, securing a government-sponsored place represents a significant financial advantage at a time when the cost of higher education remains a major concern.
The release of the 2026/2027 lists therefore begins another important stage for thousands of applicants who have been waiting to establish their fate.
Those who have secured places will now have to follow the university’s registration and reporting requirements, while unsuccessful applicants may need to explore private sponsorship or other higher education options.
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