Makerere Admissions Reality Check: Prof. Buyinza Urges Parents to Broaden University Choices

UgandaToday: Makerere Admissions Reality Check: Prof. Buyinza Urges Parents to Broaden University Choices

KAMPALA — A senior academic at Makerere University has issued a candid and deeply personal reflection on the increasingly competitive admissions process, calling on parents and students to rethink long-held beliefs about higher education in Uganda.

In a message shared widely among parents and education stakeholders, Prof. Buyinza acknowledged the wave of petitions received regarding the 2026 university admissions cycle—most of which, he revealed, have not succeeded.

“Regrettably, 99% of these petitions have not been successful,” he noted, explaining that many parents believed there were errors in the computation of cut-off points. However, thorough verification showed that the majority of candidates simply fell short—often by razor-thin margins of just 0.1 to 0.2 points.

This reality, he said, underscores a deeper systemic challenge: limited government sponsorship slots versus overwhelming demand. With only about 4,000 government scholarships available for nearly 100,000 eligible learners, even top-performing students are inevitably left out.

“I fully understand the pain,” he said, particularly referencing candidates who scored the maximum 20 points at A-Level and performed exceptionally well at O-Level, yet still missed out on their preferred programmes.

Beyond the “Makerere or Nothing” Mindset

Prof. Buyinza expressed concern over what he described as a “fixed mindset” among many families—that success is only attainable through Makerere.

“We must begin to appreciate that all universities chartered by the National Council for Higher Education are recognised and offer quality education,” he emphasized.

He pointed to other institutions such as Gulu University, Muni University, Kabale University, and Soroti University as viable alternatives where students can pursue professional programmes and thrive.

A Personal Story of Perspective

To drive his point home, the professor shared a personal story about his own son. Despite scoring 20 points at A-Level and achieving 10 distinctions at O-Level, his son narrowly failed the pre-entry law examination, scoring 47% against the required 50%.

Although he qualified for a government-sponsored programme at Makerere in Information Science, Prof. Buyinza chose instead to enroll him for a Bachelor of Laws at Uganda Christian University.

“It was not an easy decision,” he admitted, recalling how his son’s peers questioned the move and how even his son struggled to understand why his father—then Academic Registrar—could not “secure” him a place at Makerere.

But the outcome tells a different story.

The young man graduated with a First Class degree, emerged as the best student at the Law Development Centre, and later completed a Master’s degree at Makerere in February 2026.

“Today, he is grateful for that decision,” Prof. Buyinza reflected.

Merit, Not Influence

Addressing another common concern, he firmly dismissed the notion that political influence or lobbying can alter admission outcomes.

“Makerere University uses an automated, merit-based admission system that is free from human interference,” he stated. “Admission is determined scientifically: either a candidate meets the cut-off point, or they do not.”

A Call for Mindset Change

As frustration continues to mount among parents and students, Prof. Buyinza’s message is clear: opportunity in higher education extends beyond a single institution.

“Excellence is not confined to one university,” he said. “What matters most is the student’s commitment and the quality of training they receive.”

His remarks serve as both a reality check and a call to action—urging Ugandans to embrace a broader, more flexible approach to higher education in an era of growing competition and limited resources.

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