Studying in Uganda “Live to learn, you will learn how to live” Part I



Introduction:


My aim of writing this article is to encourage the students who are willing to study in Uganda, both either under graduate and postgraduate, and also to give a brief background on the Ugandan leading universities especially the historical background; admission requirment, major faculties, schools, and institiutes; students and accomodation among others।


I have also given contact address of each university so that you can easily contact any university that you wish either by phone or email।


Uganda at Glance


The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, Uganda has access to several large water bodies, including Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga and Lake Edward । Uganda is bordered on the east by Kenya, the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, within which it shares borders with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizeable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. The country has largely untapped reserves of both crude oil and natural gas. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force, with coffee accounting for the bulk of export revenues.


Although English and Swahili are used as national languages however some of the local languages are widely spoken in which may include: Luganda, Lusoga, and Runyankore। Uganda has a population of 27 millin of whom 78% of them are Christians; 16% are Muslims; 1% Traditional Religions and 0.7 % are Hindus.


In what way Uganda Education system is different compared to us (Somaliland)?
The system of education in Uganda has a structure of 7 years of primary education, 6 years of secondary education (divided into 4 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary school), and 3 to 5 years of post-secondary education compared to ours which is 8 years of primary and 4 years of secondry।


In other words for those countries who have taken the system of 4:4:4 i।e 8 years of primary and 4 years of secondry has an O’level Education System compared to those who have taken the system of 7:4:4 i.e 7 years of primary, 4 years of secondry, and 2 years of upper secondry school i.e Advanced Level or A’level in short.


Getting admission from Ugandan universities?

In general Uganda universities admit the foreign students who are seeking higher education in Uganda provided that she or He has fullfilled the admision requirement of the university। Some of these admission requirements may include:


• At least an "O" level Certificate or and equivalent qualification (secured at the same sitting) and
• At least two principle passes at "A" level or an equivalent qualification (secured at the same sititing)
• Applicants should note that to be eligible for admission, the last examination must have been sat during the year in which admission is being sought or not more than two years previously.
• At its discretion and on the advise of the Academic Unit concerned, the University may consider for admission to a degree Programme a candidate with only "O" Level qualifications provided that he/she has been registered at another University (prior to applying), for a Degree Programme and has successfully completed at least one year of University education. They must however submit the University transcript(s).
• Those students who have only O’level certificate must go through Access Program whose period ranges from 6 month to years depending the university.
• Those students who are having diploma from the recongised institution will be directly admitted to the degree program if the candidate selects relevant course.
• For Master degree, a good degree with minimum GPA of 3.6 and above from a recognized institution is required.

Universities in Uganda
Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)


Background: the university is strongly based on the teachings of Islam in which all students both Muslims and non-Muslims have to fulfill। The university was started on the premises of Nkoma Secondary School, opening doors to students on February 10, 1988 with 80 students। It is a private international university established by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).


The University is home to over 2400 students. Some students come from neighboring countries including Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and so many other counties outside the Eastern Africa.Location. IUIU has two campuses. The main campus is at Nkoma, 2km from Mbale town on Kumi Road. The Kampala campus is at Kibuli PTC. There is also an external centre at Lira Town College, Lira for Bachelor of Education (External) and Diploma in Primary Education.
Accommodation: all girls sleep on the campus। Some 1,000 boys are also on-campus residents, but other males rent private apartments in the neighborhood of the university. Faculties1. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences2. Faculty of Education3. Fac. of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language4. Faculty of Law5. Faculty of Science6. Faculty of Management studies Contact: The Academic RegistrarIUIU Mbale Campus,P.O Box 2555 Mbale - UGANDATel: +256 35 512100Fax: +256 (0)45 33502/34452E-mail:



Makerere University


Background: The University was established in 1922 as a technical school and pioneered with 14 students studying carpentry, building and mechanics. It expanded over the years to become a Center for Higher Education in East Africa in 1935. In 1937, the College developed into an institution of higher education, offering post-school certificate courses.
In 1949, it became a University College affiliated to the University College of London। In 1963, it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees of the University of London. Seven years later, it transformed into an autonomous university. It is located on Makerere hill, about 5km north of Kampala city center. It covers an area of 300 acres.


Makerere was home to many post-independence African leaders, including former Ugandan president Milton Obote and retired Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere। Former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa and current Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki are also Makerere alumni.


In the years immediately after Ugandan independence, Makerere University was a focal point for the literary activity that was central to African nationalist culture। Some prominent writers, including Nuruddin Farah, Ali Mazrui, David Rubadiri, Okello Oculi, Ngugi wa Thiongo, John Ruganda, Paul Theroux, and Peter Nazareth, were at Makerere University at one point in their writing and academic careers. Student Population Over 30,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates. There are five halls of residence for male students, three for females and one unisex for postgraduate students. The University has 22 faculties/institutes/schools offering day, evening and external study programmes.


Faculties• faculty of Agriculture • Faculty of Arts • Faculty of Computing and Information Technology • Faculty of Economics and Management • Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation • Faculty of Law• Faculty of Medicine• Faculty of Science • Faculty of Social Sciences • Faculty of Technology• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and animal production Institutes• Institute of Adult and Continuing Education• Institute of Environment and Natural Resources • Institute of Social Research• Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics and Psychology
Schools
• School of Education • School of Industrial and Fine Arts • School of Library and Information Science • Business School• Graduate School
ContactAddressP.O.BOX 7062Kampala, UgandaTel: (256-41) 532631-4/540436http://www.makerere.ac.ug/


In part II, we shall look at the following:• Kampala International University (KIU)• Kyambogo University• Mbarara university of Science and Technology• Nkumba University• AOB
Ayaanle Mohamed Omar
KIU, Kamapala, Uganda
Email: Ayanle97@hotmail.com

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