Makerere University, Uganda’s top university is facing criticism over its Law admissions process, particularly regarding government sponsorship.
The controversy surrounds the pre-entry exam held on April 12, 2025, which required students to score at least 50% to pass.
Some students with only 12 points from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) were admitted on government sponsorship, while others with 20 points, the highest possible score, were only admitted under private sponsorship.
This discrepancy has raised concerns about fairness, transparency, and consistency in the selection process.
The university admitted 1,732 students on government sponsorship across 73 academic programs, mostly based on UNEB results.
However, the Law program’s admission process is different and unclear, leaving many questions unanswered.
Questions About Pre-Entry Exam
Who is responsible for setting and marking the pre-entry exam? Is there a trusted and independent body, like UNEB, involved, or is it handled internally by the university without external oversight?
Impact on Students
The cost of preparing for the pre-entry exam also raises concerns, with some students spending millions of shillings on coaching.
This gives wealthier students, especially those from urban areas, an unfair advantage.
Bright students from rural areas may not have access to expensive coaching or clear understanding of the exam, putting them at a disadvantage.
Ariyo Marysent Abiine, a former lecturer and current Deputy Resident District Commissioner, believes the pre-entry exam should support the selection process, not reject students with strong UNEB results.
She calls for a full review of Makerere University’s Law admission process to ensure fairness and transparency.
The Ministry of Education, National Council for Higher Education, and Joint Admissions Board must work together to build a more fair and transparent system.
Makerere University has released the admission lists for the Bachelor of Laws program for the 2025/2026 academic year ¹ ².
The lists include students admitted under the Government Sponsorship scheme across three categories: A-Level Direct Entry, Bachelor of Laws (Day Program), and Bachelor of Laws (Afternoon Program) ².
