Exploring Makerere University's Student Population

Makerere University is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning. Established in 1922 as a technical school, it is the oldest currently active university in East Africa. The university has grown significantly over the years and now offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across various disciplines. As of 2022, the university is estimated to have around 38,000 students, including both undergraduates and postgraduates. However, the exact number of students at Makerere University has been a subject of debate, with various reports and committees presenting different figures.

Undergraduate and postgraduate numbers

Makerere University in Uganda has a student population of around 38,000, with some sources stating the number to be 36,000. The university comprises 10 constituent colleges, with nine colleges and one school. It offers 145 undergraduate programmes, including 11 diplomas and 134 bachelor's programmes. The total number of undergraduates is approximately 36,000.

The university also offers 139 postgraduate programmes, including 17 postgraduate diplomas and 135 master's degree programmes. All academic units have the provision to offer Doctoral Degrees, either by research only or by coursework and dissertation. The total number of postgraduates is approximately 4,000.

The university has been recording contradicting students' statistics, with officials preferring to give estimates rather than precise figures. For instance, while the university placed its official figure at 46,000 students, a committee established the number to be slightly above 30,000 students. This discrepancy has brought the institution's integrity into question.

The varying figures may be due to the different methods of data collection used by the university. For example, the Kabasa Committee report, which focuses on payment of tuition, income, and expenditure, may have extracted data while students were still registering, resulting in a lower figure compared to reports that extracted data at the end of the semester.

Despite the discrepancies in student numbers, Makerere University remains one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Africa, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to a large student body.

Official figures and estimates

Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, has been recording conflicting student statistics for years, with officials preferring to give estimates rather than precise figures. The university's management has failed to state the exact number of students enrolled, prompting the Makerere University Visitation Committee to conduct a headcount of students and staff in January 2023. The official figure placed the number of students at 46,000, while the committee's headcount established the number to be slightly above 30,000.

Various reports and publications by the university and its departments provide different figures, adding to the confusion. For example, the Makerere University Revenue Services Unit reported a total of 33,288 students at the end of the 2016/2017 academic year. In contrast, the Makerere University Fact Book Special Edition from the same year indicated 39,546 registered students for the 2015/2016 academic year. The Fact Book also recorded 38,586 registered students during the 2014/2015 academic year, while the Revenue Services Unit reported 35,965 students for the same period.

The February 2016 report by the Makerere University Kabasa Committee, which reviewed the university's financial situation, recorded 39,377 registered students at the end of the 2014/2015 academic year. This figure is higher than the one recorded by the Revenue Services Unit but lower than the number in the Fact Book. The Kabasa Committee report also showed that during the 2013/2014 academic year, Makerere had a total of 38,464 registered students, while the Fact Book recorded 42,505 students, creating a discrepancy of over 4,000 students.

University officials argue that all figures are correct, attributing the differences to various factors such as the timing of data extraction and the inclusion of students with "dead years" or those in affiliated institutions. The Academic Registrar, Alfred Masikye Namoah, and the University Bursar, Augustine Tamale, who head the University Senate and Finance Department, respectively, declined interview requests to explain how they track student statistics.

Makerere University, established in 1922, is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning. It offers programmes for about 36,000 undergraduates and 4,000 postgraduates across nine colleges and one school. The university has a total of three campuses, including a 350-acre main campus, a 45-acre College of Health Sciences campus, and a 350-acre Buyana Stock Farm for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Student statistics over time

Makerere University in Uganda is the country's oldest higher education institution and the largest and oldest in East Africa. It was established as a technical school in 1922 with just 14 day students. Over the years, it expanded its academic offering to include courses in medical care, agriculture, veterinary sciences, and teacher training. By 1949, it had become known as University College, affiliated with University College London, and was granted independent university status in 1970.

Today, Makerere University comprises nine colleges and one school, offering programmes for about 36,000 undergraduates and 4,000 postgraduates. However, student statistics over time have been inconsistent, with different reports citing varying numbers.

In 2017, a report by the Makerere University Revenue Services Unit revealed that the university had registered a total of 33,288 students at the end of the 2016/17 academic year. This was a decrease from the previous two academic years, with the university reporting a total of 35,965 students in 2015/16 and 38,272 students in 2014/15.

The Makerere University Fact Book, an annual publication by the university's Planning and Development Department, reported higher student numbers for these years. It stated that there were 39,546 registered students in 2015/16, 38,586 in 2014/15, and 42,505 in 2013/14. However, these figures have been disputed, with some arguing that they include students with "dead years" or those enrolled in institutions affiliated with Makerere.

The February 2016 report by the Makerere University Kabasa Committee, which reviewed the university's financial situation, recorded even higher student numbers. It showed that at the end of the 2014/15 academic year, there were 39,377 registered students, and 38,464 in 2013/14.

The inconsistencies in student statistics have prompted the Makerere University Visitation Committee to undertake a headcount of students and staff members to determine the accurate number of enrollees. While the official university figure was quoted as 46,000 students, the committee's findings placed the number slightly above 30,000.

Despite the fluctuations and discrepancies in reported student numbers, Makerere University remains one of the most prestigious universities in Africa, known for its research-led approach and partnerships with government, industry, and other academic institutions.

Conflicting reports

Makerere University has been recording contradictory student statistics for years, with officials preferring to give estimates rather than precise figures when asked. This has prompted the Makerere University Visitation Committee to conduct a headcount of students and staff members, though the results of this count have not yet been released to the public.

While the university has stated an official figure of 46,000 students, the Committee's count placed the number at slightly over 30,000. Additionally, a report by the Makerere University Revenue Services Unit revealed that the university had registered a total of 33,288 students at the end of the 2016/2017 academic year. The same report indicated that the university had 35,965 students during the 2015/2016 academic year and 38,272 students in 2014/2015.

The Makerere University Fact Book, an annual publication by the Makerere University Planning and Development Department, presents further conflicting data. For the 2015/2016 academic year, the Fact Book indicates 39,546 registered students, 3,581 more than the number recorded in the Revenue Services Unit report. The Fact Book also reports 38,586 registered students for the 2014/2015 academic year, exceeding the Revenue Services Unit report by 314 students.

The February 2016 report by the Makerere University Kabasa Committee, which was formed to review the university's financial situation, adds to the conflicting data. This report shows that Makerere had 39,377 registered students at the end of the 2014/2015 academic year, 169 students fewer than the number recorded in the Fact Book. The Kabasa Committee report also shows a total of 38,464 registered students during the 2013/2014 academic year, while the Fact Book recorded 42,505 students for the same year, creating a discrepancy of 4,041 students.

University officials argue that all figures are correct, offering divergent explanations for the inconsistencies. Bruce Kabasa, chair of the Kabasa committee and chairman of the Makerere University appointments board, stated that his report focused on students "admitted to regular programmes," while the Fact Book considers a "holistic picture" that includes students with dead years or those in affiliated institutions. Dr Florence Nakayiwa, the university's Director of Planning and Development, supported this claim, attributing the discrepancies to the dynamic nature of registration data. She explained that figures extracted from the system during the registration period will differ from those extracted at the end of the semester.

Despite the conflicting reports, Makerere University remains one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Africa, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to a large student body.

Student demographics

Makerere University has a student body of around 38,000, comprising 10 constituent colleges. However, the exact number of students is hard to pinpoint due to conflicting reports and the university's failure to state precise figures.

Various reports and sources cite different student numbers for Makerere University. The university itself placed its official figure at 46,000 students, while a committee established the number to be slightly above 30,000. A report by the Makerere University Revenue Services Unit revealed that the university had registered 33,288 students at the end of the 2016/17 academic year. The same report indicated that the university had a total of 35,965 students during the 2015/16 academic year and 38,272 students in 2014/15. The Makerere University Fact Book, on the other hand, states that there were 39,546 registered students in 2015/16 and 38,586 in 2014/15.

The discrepancy in student numbers has brought the university's integrity into question. University officials argue that all figures are correct, with one official stating that the difference arises when data is extracted from the system at different times. For example, figures extracted on November 30th during student registration will differ from those extracted on December 30th at the end of the semester.

Makerere University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. At the undergraduate level, there are 145 programmes, including 11 diplomas and 134 bachelor's programmes. The university also offers over 139 postgraduate programmes, including 17 postgraduate diplomas and 135 master's degree programmes. All academic units have the provision to offer Doctoral Degrees through research or coursework and dissertation.

The university prides itself on its commitment to gender equality and has initiatives such as the Female Scholarship Foundation to support women from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing higher education.

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