Makerere University has called on the government to introduce targeted funding mechanisms for postgraduate students following a surge in dropout rates driven by financial hardship.
According to the Vice Chancellor, Barnabas Nawangwe, nearly 1,000 postgraduate students fail to complete their studies annually, with many unable to sustain the cost of research.
“Most of our postgraduate students drop out because they cannot afford to complete their research,” Nawangwe said.
He noted that the financial strain extends beyond postgraduate programmes, with undergraduate students also struggling to stay enrolled. Some, he said, are opting to leave the country in search of better economic opportunities.
“Even undergraduate students are facing similar challenges, which is pushing many of them to seek opportunities abroad,” he added.
Nawangwe made the remarks while reaffirming the university’s Strategic Plan for 2026, developed in 2019 by the University Council, which seeks to transform the institution into a research-led university contributing directly to national development.
Key priorities under the plan include aligning academic programmes with national needs through research and innovation, promoting professionalism, and improving staff welfare.
Meanwhile, Academic Registrar Mukadasi Buyinza highlighted the role of technology in driving these reforms, noting that the university is investing in digital systems to enhance service delivery.
“Students will increasingly be able to access services online as we advance our technological systems,” he said.
The university also plans to maintain its undergraduate intake while significantly expanding postgraduate enrollment from 3,874 to 7,744 students, with a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, alongside the rollout of a competence-based curriculum.
Makerere says the proposed interventions are intended to strengthen research output, reduce dropout rates, and position the institution as a leading hub for innovation in the region.
