Top 10 Best Universities in Uganda (2020 Latest Ranking)

Uganda is a landlocked country in Eastern Africa. Tertiary education in Uganda has seen many improvements when compared to those of other countries in Africa. While most of the Universities in Uganda are not well placed on the international platform of best-ranking universities, some higher institutions in the country have carved out a niche for themselves and gone ahead to become placed among the best in Africa.

According to the latest release of the ranking of top African universities by the well renowned Webometrics (you can see their methodology here), the best university in Uganda came close at number 1083 among the top universities in the world. Even so, these 10 universities are pushing limits and ensuring that students pursue excellence by upholding professional and ethical standards. The top institutions are;

10. Islamic University in Uganda

The Higher educational institution was established in 1988 as a non-profit private venture. Islamic University is located in the small town of Mbale – with a population range of 250,000 – 499,999 inhabitants.

The institution has branch campuses at other locations, including Kampala. Officially accredited and recognized by The National Council for Higher Education, Uganda, Islamic University is a big coeducational higher education institution (with 6,000 students in 2009), formally affiliated with the Christian-Anglican religion.

The institution offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees in several areas of study. Both Muslim and non-Muslim applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

The university is equipped with several academic and non-academic facilities and services, including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and scholarships, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

9. Uganda Christian University

UCU was founded in 1997 by the decision of the Anglican Church of Uganda. UCU has expanded its programs to include theology, education, social work, business, law, mass communication, development studies, information technology, library and information science, as well as nursing. It has also innovated a number of modular courses in education, counselling, organizational leadership, maternal health, and health administration. The university is one of the best and has attracted students from other East African countries and a number of expatriate staff from North America, Europe, and Australia-New Zealand.

8. Busitema University

Busitema University is a public higher education institution located in Busitema, Eastern Region. It was founded in 2007 and officially accredited and recognized by The National Council for Higher Education, Uganda. Although the institution is a very small one catering to a little over 3,000 students, it has several campuses, including the main campus in Busia District, Nagongera campus in Tororo District, Mbale campus in Mbale District, Pallisa campus in Pallisa District, Arapai campus in Soroti District, Namasagali campus in Kamuli District, among others.

As a coeducational higher education institution, Busitema University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study with a primary focus on the instruction of agricultural sciences, agricultural mechanization, and agribusiness. The institution also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services for students, including library and administrative services.

7. Makerere University Business School

Established in 1997, Makere University Bussiness School offers management and business courses at various university levels, including pre-bachelor degree, bachelor degree, and postgraduates.

The institution is located in Nakawa Division, in the large city of Kampala, (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Central Region. The institution is the business school of Makere University.

The college is a very small coeducational higher education institution with an enrollment range of 6,000-6,999 students. It offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), Bachelor degrees, Master degrees in several areas of study.

6. Uganda Martyrs University

The Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) makes the list of top universities in Uganda. UMU is a Catholic founded institution, a faith-based, not-for-profit private university established in 1993, and owned by the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC). UMU received a Civil Charter on 2nd April 2005 from the government of Uganda to legitimize its existence and recognize the fact that it had attained the required university standards.

Since then, the university has continued to forge on to become a well-known name among the higher institutions in Uganda. UMU is making a difference as an institution for higher learning by ensuring high-quality education. The school offers an education that prepares students for their future fields of occupation.

5. Gulu University

Gulu University (GU) was established in 2002, as a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Gulu in the Northern Region which has a population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants. The University caters to 4500 students (2019) which makes it a small coeducational higher institution.

Gulu University (GU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as Bachelor’s degrees in several areas of study. GU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library, as well as administrative services.

4. Kampala International University

KIU is a private university in Uganda that has built a name in the education sector with remarkable resilience. KIU is chartered by the government of Uganda as recognition and acknowledgement of its ability and competence to offer relevant education. The institution is a member of pre-eminent bodies such as the Commonwealth Universities, Association of African Universities, and the Inter-University Council of East Africa.

KIU was founded in 2001 and has two campuses; the main campus in Kampala along Kansanga, Ggaba road, and the School of Health Sciences (KIU Western Campus) in Bushenyi along Kasese road, with branches in Kenya and Tanzania. KIU aims to respond to societal needs by designing and delivery of an education guided by the principles and values of respect for society, economy, and environment and to provide and develop a supportive research environment in which scholars at every stage of their career can flourish.

3. Kyambogo University

Kyambogo University is a relatively new University and Uganda’s third public university established by the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 and the Universities and Other Tertiary institutions’ (Establishment of Kyambogo University) instruments of 2003. It has gradually progressed to become one of the best in Uganda. Kyambogo University was created with the main aim of promoting and advancing knowledge and development of skills in Science, Technology, and Education and such other fields, having regard for quality, equity, progress, and transformation of society.

It was formed after a merger of the former Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK), the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (ITEK), and the Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE).

2. Mbarara University of Science & Technology

Mbarara University of Science and Technology also known as MUST was opened in October 1989. MUST is a public university also accredited by the National Council for Higher Education in Uganda. Over the years, it has won acclaimed national and international recognition for best practices in outreach and community relations from the Association of Commonwealth Universities, European Union and Civil Society of Uganda. The institution is known for producing the best development workers and health care professionals.

1. Makerere University

 

Makerere University was started in 1922 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Uganda and Africa as a whole. The university aims to provide innovative teaching, learning, research, and services responsive to National and Global needs.

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