List of Top 10 Universities in Uganda

By Robert Mwesige

The most common university ranking metrics used across the globe have mostly cited academic reputation, student employment rate (measured 6-12 months post-graduation), staff-to-student ratio, international faculty ratio, international student ratio, and faculty research involvement.

This compilation has been made based on academic reputation in Uganda, consistency from sources across the web, and national and international university rankings.

Here’s a complete rundown of the Top 10 Universities in Uganda.

1. Makerere University

Makerere University is Uganda’s largest and oldest institution of higher learning in Uganda. It was, first established as a technical school in 1922. It became an independent national university in 1970.

Over the years, Makerere University has become a world-class institution for academic excellence, research, and innovations. The university has also maintained the position of the best higher educational institution in Uganda with a decent ranking in Africa.

What Are the Contact Details for Makerere University?

Makerere University Is Located at Makerere Hill Which Is One of The Many Hills on Which Kampala, The Capital City of Uganda was established.

The Post Office Box Number for Makerere University is P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

The Official Email Address for Makerere University Academic Issues is: acadreg@acadreg.mak.ac.ug

For the Public Relations Office, the Email Address is: pro@admin.mak.ac.ug

The official telephone contacts are +256 41- 532631- 4, or +256 41 – 540436

Website: https://www.mak.ac.ug/

Makerere University has a subsidiary Business School called Makerere University Business School. MUBS provides business and management education at the certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. Currently, MUBS is a public tertiary institution affiliated with Makerere University. The School has regional campuses including the Mbarara campus, Mbale campus, Jinja campus, and Arua campus.

What Is the Contact Information for MUBS (Makerere University Business School)?

Makerere University Business School is Located at Plot 21A Port Bell Road, Nakawa

The P.O. Box Number is 1337, Kampala, Uganda

Email for General Inquiries is:  pro@mubs.ac.ug

Academics and Admissions Email is: registrar@mubs.ac.ug

Website: https://mubs.ac.ug/

University Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Makerere

2. Kyambogo University

The University that now sits on Banda Hill is one of Uganda’s largest public Universities. It was established by the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 and the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (Establishment of Kyambogo University) instruments of 2003.

Kyambogo University was established with the main aim of promoting & advancing knowledge and development of skills in Science, Technology, and Education, and other fields having regard for quality, equity, progress, and transformation of society.

Kyambogo University offers various educational programs through its affiliated institutions, including government-owned ones.

These programs include a Grade III Teachers Certificate in Primary Teacher Education, a Diploma in Education Secondary, a Diploma in Education Primary, a Diploma in Education Early Childhood Development, and a Certificate in Teacher Education for Early Childhood Development.

In addition to these, Kyambogo University Affiliated Institutions offer a Diploma in Instructor and Technical Teacher Education, as well as other programs.

What Is the Contact Information for Kyambogo University?

The Post Office Box Number for Kyambogo University is: P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala – Uganda (East Africa)

The Telephone Contact is: 0414-285037/287343/287502

The Academic Registrar’s Email Address for Kyambogo University is: arkyu@kyu.ac.ug

The University website is: https://kyu.ac.ug/

University Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KyambogoUniversityOfficial

3. Kampala International University

Kampala International University, commonly referred to as KIU, is a privately operated, not-for-profit institution located in Uganda. It was founded in 2001 and subsequently received a charter in 2009.

As a distinguished member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Association of African Universities, and the Inter-University Council of East Africa, KIU is revered for its academic excellence and commitment to providing world-class education.

The university offers a broad range of programs across various fields, including Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Engineering, Business and Management, Law, Humanities, and Education. KIU’s academic offerings are designed to cater to the diverse needs of students, providing them with a well-rounded education that prepares them for a variety of career paths.

What is the Location and Address of Kampala, International University (KIU)?

Kampala International University (KIU), has three campuses. The main campus is located in Kansanga, Makindye Division, which is in the southeastern part of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. The Western Campus is situated in Ishaka, Bushenyi District, approximately 328 kilometers (204 mi) southwest of Kampala. KIU also has a Constituent College, the KIU Dar es Salaam, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The Post Office Box Number for KIU is: P.O. Box 20000, Ggaba Road, Kansanga, Kampala

The office telephone contact is: +(256) 752 800 802

The official Email address of KIU is: admin@kiu.ac.ug

The website is: www.kiu.ac.ug

University Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/kiuvarsity

4. Uganda Christian University (UCU)

Uganda Christian University (UCU) was established by the Church of Uganda in 1997 in response to a growing need for quality university education with a Christian perspective. As an authentic Christian institution, the university is guided by the motto, “God the Beginning and The End” (Alpha and Omega).

Uganda Christian University took the place of Bishop Tucker Theological College, which had a history of training clergymen and educators for 84 years from 1913-1997. It was the first private University in Uganda to be awarded a charter by the Government of Uganda in 2004. Uganda Christian University is one of Uganda’s leading teaching and research universities.

What Is the Location and Address of Uganda Christian University?

Uganda Christian University is Located in Mukono, less than an hour’s drive from the capital city of Kampala, at Bishop Road in Mukono Town, Uganda

The Post Office Box Number for UCU is:  P.O. Box 4, Mukono, Uganda

The Office Telephone Contact is: +256 312 350 800 /880

The official Email Address is: info@ucu.ac.ug / registrar@ucu.ac.ug

The University Website is: www.ucu.ac.ug

University Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/kiuvarsity

5. Uganda Martyrs University (UMU)

Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is a private university in Uganda that is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The university is owned by the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Uganda and is licensed by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education.

It comprises seven faculties, two institutes, six campuses, nine departments, and three schools.

As it is based on religious principles, the university’s motto is “In Virtue and Wisdom Lead the World”.

The University was granted a Charter confirmed with a Certificate issued by the National Council for Higher Education on 3rd December 2004 and signed by the President of the Republic of Uganda on 2nd April 2005.

What Is the Location and Address of Uganda Martyrs University (UMU)?

UMU’s main campus is in Nkozi, Mpigi District, in the Central Region of Uganda, approximately 85 kilometers (53 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala.

The Post Office Box Number for Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is: P.O. Box 5498 Kampala – Uganda

The Email Address is: pro@umu.ac.ug or registrar@umu.ac.ug

The Office Telephone Contact is: +256 782 924 509

The Official Website for UMU is: https://umu.ac.ug/

University Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ugandamartyrsuni

UMU maintains campuses at the following locations: Masaka, Lubaga, Nsambya, Kabale, Moyo, Mbale, Mbarara, Lira Campus, and Kabarole.

6. Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is a renowned public university in Uganda that was established in 1989. MUST have earned accreditation from the Uganda National Council for Higher Education.

The university has demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence by offering a broad range of science and technology programs, including research opportunities, to students. With state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, MUST provide a conducive environment for advanced learning and research in various scientific disciplines.

What Is the Location and Address of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)?

The Mbarara Campus is in the town of Mbarara, on the Mbarara-Kabale Highway. The Kihumuro Campus is in the suburb of Kihumuro, approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 mi), by road, west of Mbarara’s central business district along the Mbarara-Bushenyi Road.

The Post Office Box Number for MUST is: P.O Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda

The Telephone Contact is 0485433795.

The Email Address for Public Relations Affairs is: pro@must.ac.ug

University Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MbararaUniversity

7. Kabale University

Kabale University was born way back in 1995 under the umbrella of the Kigezi Development Association. The University underwent a significant transformation in 2015 when it changed from being a private to a public university. This change was made official through the implementation of Statutory Instrument No. 36 on the 16th of July 2015, under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 (as amended).

Before obtaining this legal status, the University received a Charter in 2014 (Certificate No. UI.CH.008), which marked the final stage of accreditation by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education.

As a result of this transformation, Kabale University holds a unique position in Uganda as the first institution to have made the transition from private to public.

The university aims to become a sustainable vibrant University of academic excellence in the Great Lakes Region and beyond.

What Is the Location and Address of Kabale University?

Kabale University is located at Plot 364 Block 3 Kikungiri Hill, Kabale Municipality, P.O Box 317, Kabale, Uganda.

The Official Telepone con#tact is: +256 782860259

Kabale University’s Email Address is: info@kab.ac.ug

The Campus Website is: https://www.kab.ac.ug/

University Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kabuniversity

8. Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)

The Islamic University in Uganda is a multi-campus university offering courses at certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. The main campus of the university is in Mbale, Uganda.

In 1974, the second summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference gave birth to the idea of starting IUIU. The university opened its doors to 80 students in February 1988 intending to serve the higher education needs of the English-speaking Muslim community in Southern and Eastern Africa.

The University operates the following campuses in Uganda:

• The Main Campus is in Mbale’s central business district in the Eastern Region of Uganda, on the Mbale-Soroti road.
• The Kampala Campus is on Kibuli Hill the central business district of Kampala.
• The Kabojja Campus is in Kabojja. This campus is for female students only.
• The Arua Campus is in the town of Arua City approximately 475 kilometers (295 mi), by road, north-west of Kampala.

What Are the Contact Details for the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)?

Islamic University in Uganda, located at Kumi Road, in Mbale City, Eastern Uganda

The Post Office Box Number for IUIU is: P.O. BOX 2555 Mbale, Uganda

The Email Address is: registrar@iuiu.ac.ug

The Telephone Numbers are: +256701386400 and +256393512103

Their Website Link Is: https://www.iuiu.ac.ug/

University Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/iuiu.ac.ug

9. Nkumba University

Nkumba University is a chartered private university in Uganda. It was established in 1994 as part of a group of schools and colleges that originally grew from a kindergarten established in 1951.

Nkumba University (NU) is a private, non-profit institution that has established itself as a reputable provider of high-quality education and research in the region. The university is focusing on supporting the government’s efforts to skill its citizens.

Nkumba University conducts cutting-edge research and offers training on courses that are essential for economic development. The University is committed to being a one-stop center for world-class education and research that meets the needs of students and the wider community alike.

What Are the Contact Details of Nkumba University?

The Location of Nkumba University is on Kampala – Entebbe Rd, at Lyamutundwe. The University also has a campus in the heart of Kampala City – the Capital of Uganda, along Kabaka Anjagala Road in Mengo.

The Post Office Box Number for Nkumba University is: P.O. Box 237, Entebbe, Uganda

Telephone Numbers: +256775037833, and +256772446510

Email Address: ar@nkumbauniversity.ac.ug

Website: www.nkumbauniversity.ac.ug

University Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/nkumbauni

10. Ndejje University

Ndejje University was issued a University Charter by the government of Uganda in 2009. It is one of the prominent institutions of higher education in the country. Ndejje University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields of study, including business, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology.

Ndejje University is owned by the Church of Uganda (CoU) Dioceses in the Buganda Region through a Consortium called the “Ndejje University Foundation Consortium”. The Consortium is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee, not having a share capital. It is responsible for appointing the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, the Chairperson of the Council, and members of the University Council.

What Are the Contact Details for Ndejje University?

The University is located at Ndejje Hill Along Ndejje Road, Off Bombo Town, Kampala – Gulu highway

Ndejje University Post Office Box Number is: P.O. Box 7088 Kampala, Uganda

Telephone Contact for Academic Registrar’s Office is: +256 392 730324

Email Address: registrar@ndejjeuniversity.ac.ug

University Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/NdejjeUnive

Final Comments

Based on the information available to me, I have provided you with a list of some of the top universities in Uganda. It is important to keep in mind that university rankings are subject to change over time, so it’s a good idea to stay updated with the latest rankings for accurate and current information. The list above comprises the top 10 notable universities in Uganda.

It is essential to keep in mind that the quality of education, programs offered, and reputation of universities can vary significantly. Therefore, it is crucial to do thorough research on each university to find the one that best matches your academic and career goals. It is also recommended to check with relevant educational authorities or university websites for the latest rankings and information.