In Uganda, the education system has a structure of 7 years of primary education, 6 years of secondary education (divided into 4 years of lower secondary education and 2 years of upper secondary education) and 3 to 5 years of post-secondary education. This educational system has existed since the early 1960s. You will agree that Uganda is known to some extent for having some of the best universities in Africa. While there are many who haven’t made it short the list, Uganda is believed to offer world-class learning experiences. The 4ICU (4 International Colleges & Universities) recently published a global ranking of the best Ugandan universities for 2018. The result is slightly different than last year.
It seems that some universities that weren’t happy with their ranking in 2017 have tried their best to make sure they climb the ladder to be among the best. Note that the ranking was created based on four key composite indicators, which include Presence, Impact Rate, Openness, and Academic Excellence. Check out the 29 best Ugandan universities on the list.
1. Makerere University
Rank in Uganda: 1st
Global rank: 2182
Makerere University began as a technical school as early as 1922. It became the University of East Africa in 1963 and by 1970 it was what it is today. It has over 40,000 students offering its postgraduate and undergraduate programs. Makerere University is one of the top Uganda universities that everyone would love to be associated with.
2. Uganda Christian University
Rank in Uganda: 2
Global rank: 5412
This university started in 1913 and is owned by the Church of Uganda. It began as Bishop Tucker Theological College but was later converted into a university in 1997. The university in Kampala has 7 schools, a medical school and a research and postgraduate school.
Rank in Uganda: 3rd
Global Rank: 5884
Located in the southwest of Kampala, the Mbarara University of Science and Technology was established in 1989. It has two locations, three faculties and three institutions. In addition, bachelor and postgraduate courses for doctoral studies are offered. Of course, when it comes to science and technology, this is the best university in Uganda.
4. Uganda Martyrs University
Rank in Uganda: 4th
Global rank: 7374
A privately owned university, the Uganda Martyrs University was founded in 1989 in Kampala. It has grown into a home for over 5,000 students from the 84 students that started it. Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the university has remained an important university in the country.
5. International University of Health Sciences
Rank in Uganda: 5th
Global Rank: 7475
The International Health Sciences University is a private university in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Founded in 2008, the university is still fairly new and has just over a thousand students. Some postgraduate and undergraduate courses as well as diploma and certificate courses are offered.
6. Kyambogo University
Rank in Uganda: 6th
Global rank: 7786
Considering that this university only started in 20002002, it is among the young universities in Uganda, but it is doing well. It is located in Kampala and as of 2016, the student enrollment has grown to over 25,000.
Rank in Uganda: 7th
Global rank: 8035
I am speaking of the very young universities in Uganda, this shows to be one of the youngest and yet one of the best. It was only founded in 2012 and has less than 2000 students. Uganda Technology and Management University is also located in Kampala and offers diploma courses as well as bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
8. Ndejje University
Rank in Uganda: 8th
Global rank: 8347
This is a private university which is located in Ndejje, Uganda. It is owned by the Church and started in 1992. The university has over 5000 students and 4 campuses. It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
9. Kampala International University
Rank in Uganda: 9th
Global rank: 8570
Kampala International University is like most others is located in Kampala and was founded in 2001. The university has over 27,000 students and offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
10. Gulu University
Rank in Uganda: 10
Global rank: 9117
As the name suggests, Gulu University is located in Gulu and was founded in 2002. The university offers both postgraduate and undergraduate programs and has six faculties and two institutes. It is convenient to host as one of the best Ugandan universities of choice.
11. Bugema University
Rank in Uganda: 11
Global rank: 9507
Bugema University has a long history1948 associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The university was only established in 1997 as a tertiary institution. It has 4 schools and offers graduate and postgraduate degrees as well as diploma and certificate courses.
12. International University of East Africa
Rank in Uganda: 12
Global rank: 9903
The International University of East Africa started in Kampala in 2010 as a very small university. Today it’s still not one of the biggest in terms of size, but it wasn’t the worst in terms of educational standards. With 4 faculties, postgraduate and undergraduate courses are also offered.
13. Mountains of the Lunar University
Rank in Uganda: 13th
Global Rank:
Only a few years old, this university is rather very small, with the number of students still a little over a thousand. Located in Fort Portal, the university has 5 schools and the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies and Research.
14. Islamic University in Uganda
Rank in Uganda: 14th
Global Rank:
With over 7000 students, the Islamic University in Uganda was founded in 1988 and is located in Mbale. It has 4 campuses, 8 faculties and a postgraduate center.
Rank in Uganda: 15
Global rank: 10327
Victoria University, Kampala is a private university established in 2011. This is a small university with fewer than a thousand students. In addition, only undergraduate courses and diplomas are offered.
16. Busitema University
Rank in Uganda: 16th
Global rank: 10417
Another of Uganda’s top 16 universities is Busitema University which started in 2007. The university has 8 campuses, 4 faculties and offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in some courses.
17. Cavendish University Uganda
Rank in Uganda: 17th
Global rank: 10468
Another university founded in 2007 is Cavendish University Uganda which is located in Kampala like many other best Uganda universities. It is a university with over 5,000 students and four faculties as well as a School of Post Graduate Studies.
18. Nkumba University
Rank in Uganda: 18
Global rank: 10525
In 1994, Nkumba University began in Entebbe. With over 10,000 students, the university offers certificates, diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and operates six schools.
Rank in Uganda: 19th
Global rank: 10611
It is quite an achievement for this university to emerge as one of the top 20 universities in Uganda. This is especially true considering it was only founded in 2012. With less than a thousand students, Muni University offers various undergraduate courses.
20. Kampala University
Rank in Uganda: 20th
Global Rank: 10767
It was in 2000 that this private university started in the Ugandan capital. It is a large university with more than 10,000 students and 10 domestic and foreign universities with even a campus in Russia. It offers certificate, diploma, graduate and postgraduate courses.
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21. Muteesa I Royal University
Rank in Uganda: 21
Global rank: 10931
Muteesa I Royal University was founded in 2007 and today it has more than 3,000 students. The 21st Best University in Uganda is also in Kampala and has three and four campuses with two more on the way. In addition to bachelor’s degrees, certificate and diploma courses are also offered.
Rank in Uganda: 22nd
Global rank: 11048
Located in Mbarara, Bishop Stuart University is a private university that was founded in 2002. It has two campuses, four faculties, and offers certificate and diploma courses as well as undergraduate courses.
23. St Augustine International University
Rank in Uganda: 23
Global rank: 11210
Located in Kampala, this is another private university that is emerging as one of Uganda’s top universities. It was founded in 2011 and has four colleges. It, like many others, also offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as diploma and certificate courses.
24. Livingstone International University
Rank in Uganda: 24th
Global rank: 11261
Livingstone International University, a private university in Mbale, was established in 2011 and now offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Rank in Uganda: 25th
Global rank: 11428
Busoga University is a private institution that was established in 1999 in conjunction with the Busoga Diocese of the Church of Uganda. The university has over 5,000 students pursuing their certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It is located in Iganga, Uganda and is without a doubt one of the best Ugandan universities you can think of.
Other of the best Ugandan Universities are:
26. African Rural University
Rank in Uganda: 26th
Global Rank: 11499
Location: Kagadi
Established: 2009
Courses: Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor Degree.
27. St. Lawrence University
Rank in Uganda: 27th
Global rank: 11567
Location: Mengo, Kampala,
Established: 2006
Courses: Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor Degree.
28. Cabal University
Rank in Uganda: 28th
Global rank: 11613
Location: Cabal
Established: 2001
Courses: Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor Degree
29. Uganda Pentecostal University
Rank in Uganda: 29th
Global rank: 11912
Location: Fort Portal, Uganda
Established: 2005
Courses: Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor Degree.
A recent global ranking of the top 15 universities in Africa for 2015 has also just landed from Webometrics, and the result is quite different from what was seen last year. It seems that some universities that weren’t happy where they ranked, or weren’t even ranked yet in 2017, did their best to make sure they were at the top of the list, or even popping up to be among the best to come best. Scroll down to see the universities, their world ranking, country and see which top Ugandan universities make the list.
- University of Cape Town (world ranking: 290) – South Africa
- University of the Witwatersrand (World Ranking: 455) – South Africa
- Stellenbosch University (world ranking: 480) – South Africa
- University of Pretoria (world ranking: 561) – South Africa
- University of KwaZulu Natal (World Ranking: 641) – South Africa
- Cairo University (world ranking: 764) – Egypt
- University of Nairobi (World Ranking: 874) – Kenya
- University of Johannesburg (world ranking: 919) – South Africa
- University of the Western Cape (world ranking: 938) – South Africa
- University of Ibadan (World Ranking: 1099) – Nigeria
- Makerere University (world ranking: 1113) – Uganda
- Rhodes University (world ranking: 1122) – South Africa
- North West University (world ranking: 1188) – South Africa
- Alexandria University (world ranking: 1204) – Egypt
- American University in Cairo (world ranking: 1308) – Egypt