Universities in Uganda

Universities in Uganda are regulated by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), which licenses and guides the establishment of higher education institutions, oversees the quality of their programmes, equates qualifications and advises the government. English is the language of instruction.

Our directory lists two universities in Uganda, both in or near Kampala: Makerere University, the national university, and Bugema University, a private Christian university with its main campus in Luweero.

How Ugandan universities work

Universities award diplomas, bachelor's degrees, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees and doctorates; in 2026 the NCHE published the Uganda Higher Education Qualifications Framework, which sets out these levels. Makerere University shows the range: it has 145 undergraduate programmes (11 diplomas and 134 bachelor's programmes) and over 139 postgraduate programmes, and all its academic units can award doctoral degrees. Many universities teach in day, evening, weekend or external (distance) modes.

Makerere began in 1922 as a technical school, became a university college affiliated to the University of London and, on 1 July 1970, an independent national university. It has about 35,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates in 10 colleges, including the School of Law. Bugema University, which describes its mission as Christian education, has schools of agriculture, business, education, health, science and technology, social sciences, and theology and religious studies.

Admission for international students

The standard entry route to a bachelor's degree in Uganda is the Uganda Certificate of Education with at least five passes plus at least two principal passes at Advanced Level, or an equivalent qualification; a good diploma from a recognised institution or a previous degree can also give access. At Makerere, international applicants apply online, pay an application fee of US$75, and have their foreign school results equated through the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB). Applicants from countries where English is not the language of instruction must prove their English; the Bachelor of Laws has a pre-entry exam, and international students must show health insurance at admission. Makerere's academic year normally starts in August.

Bugema asks for completed secondary education or its equivalent, transcripts and identification, and some programmes add an entrance test or interview; the application fee is UGX 50,000. Bugema has three intakes a year, in August, January and May. Foreign university degrees are recognised or equated by the NCHE, which processes applications within three months and needs translations of documents not in English.

Student pass and entry

Foreign students enrolled at an institution in Uganda need a Student Pass from the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC), valid for 3, 6 or 12 months. You apply online with an admission letter, proof of fee payment, a passport valid for at least six months and a support letter from the school, then report for biometric capture. The fee is USD 100, and East African nationals are exempt. Since October 2026, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is no longer mandatory for entry.

Costs and funding

Each university sets its own fees, usually per semester, and they depend on the programme, study mode and nationality; at Bugema they also vary by campus. Check the current fee structure published by the university before applying, and add the costs of the student pass, insurance and accommodation. Bugema states that it offers a limited number of scholarships to qualified students.

How to choose a university in Uganda

• Recognition: check that the university and programme are licensed and accredited by the NCHE, which also publishes a list of institutions whose licences were revoked
• Type of university: the national university, Makerere, or private universities with their own mission, values and rules
• Study mode: day, evening, weekend or distance programmes
• Location: central Kampala or a campus outside the city
• Intake: some universities admit students once a year, others several times

Frequently asked questions

In which language are university courses taught in Uganda?

In English. Applicants from countries where English is not the language of instruction must prove their English at Makerere University, which also runs proficiency tests on request.

How do I get my foreign qualifications recognised in Uganda?

School results are equated by UNEB and higher education qualifications by the National Council for Higher Education, which processes applications within three months.

Do international students need a visa to study in Uganda?

Foreign students need a Student Pass, valid for 3, 6 or 12 months, which costs USD 100; East African nationals are exempt from the fee.

When does the academic year start?

At Makerere University it normally starts in August. Bugema University has intakes in August, January and May.