Makerere University Vice chancellor outlines ongoing staff promotions in preparation for the new Academic Year
Makerere University has promoted a 153 academic staff members in an effort to strengthen efficiency of its teaching staff, improve research capacity and address most staff needs across the institution.
This was revealed by the Makerere vice chancellor prof. Barnabas Nawangwe during a press briefing to update the media about the ongoing developments at the university.
Profesor Nawangwe went on and said that people remain central to the university’s strategic plan both as beneficiaries of Makerere’s services and as key implementers through the staff members.
”The University continues to make significant efforts in building a robust and a highly motivated workforce through strategic recruitment, appointments and promotions” he said.
”In the last year, the appointments board collectively approved multiple appointments across academic leadership, fresh academic hires, and numerous administrative and support staff positions. The fresh appointments included senior academic leadership positions such as deans, heads of departments and administrative support roles” He added
The professor went on and said that a total of 81 staff members were approved to be promoted between July 2025 and July 2026 including academic and non academic staff of the university.
The academic promotion covered different levels, including promotions from assistant lecture to lecturer, lecturer to senior lecturer, senior lecturer to associate professor and associate professor to professor.
The breakdown reveals that 65 academic staff members were promoted, while 16 non academic staff members also got promoted.
Prof. Nawangwe went on and noted that the promotions demonstrate the university’s commitment to recognizing excellence and retaining skilled and competent personnel.
In addition a total of 240 new staff were recruited in the same period.
The New recruits include 88 academic staff and 152 non-academic staff
The professor said Makerere uses targeted recruitments to fill gaps created by retirements, resignations and specialized staffing requirements.
”As expected of any such institution, the University deals with staffing challenges arising from retirements, resignations, and other specialised needs. We have always managed these through targeted recruitment, contract appointments, post-retirement contracts for professors, and staff development programmes.”
Prof.Nawangwe went on and updated the press about the 2026/2027 academic year calendar.The New academic calendar for Makerere University will commence and progress as follows.
Fresher’s Orientation Week: Saturday 1st August to Friday 7th August 2026.
• Semester One: Saturday 8th August to Saturday 5th December 2026.
• Semester One Examinations: Monday 16th November to Saturday 5th December 2026.
• Semester One Holiday Break: Saturday 5th December 2026 to Friday 15th January 2027.
• 77th Graduation Week: Monday 11th to Friday 15th January 2027.
• Semester Two: Saturday 16th January to Saturday 15th May 2027.
The professor also said that all newly admitted students (undergraduate and graduate) can now access their provisional admission
letters via their individual application portals. And therefore urged students to settle any outstanding payments.
Hall renovation
”World-class infrastructure is cornerstone of our Strategic Plan and hence remains a top priority for s. Last month, Makerere University handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence to the national Enterprise Corporation (NEC) for comprehensive renovation and overhaul works at a cost of
UGX 12 billion, fully funded by the Government of Uganda. This historic female hall, built in the 1950s, will undergo major structural improvements and a facelift. Works are expected to be completed within 12 months. This renovation will significantly improve living conditions for female students and
further enhance the University’s residential infrastructure. We are confident that NEC will deliver quality work that restores this important facility to modern standards for our students. This is the fourth major project undertaken by NEC at Makerere, and it will further enhance the University’s residential infrastructure” The Profesor said.
During the press briefing it was revealed that the university is scheduled to host the East African Universities Debate championships which will commence on July 26 /2026 and run up to 1st of August 2026.
Hosting this flagship regional event reaffirms the University’s position as an intellectual powerhouse and leader in higher education in East Africa.
Profesor Nawangwe further said that the developments further reaffirms the university’s commitment to the strategic plan 2025-2030 which focuses on building a stronger institution that delivers excellence in teaching and learning, cutting-edge, research, modern infrastructure and meaningful contributions to national and Continental development.
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