By KT Reporter
The approval by the Parliament of Uganda of a US$162 million concessional loan from the Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) on 16th December 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Makerere University, as the institution enters the fourth year of its second century of existence. This funding approval comes at a critical moment as the university underscores its intention to become research-intensive, against the pressing need to align with global standards in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
With student numbers growing from 5,000 three decades ago to approximately 35,000 today, Makerere‘s facilities continue to be stretched. The loan’s timely approval during a plenary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, underscores the government’s commitment to revitalizing higher education amid national development goals outlined in the National Development Plan IV and the Ten-fold Growth Strategy.
Anticipated Developments
The loan will finance the construction of a state-of-the-art science and technology center, complete with advanced laboratories and innovation hubs for engineering disciplines. Upgrades to existing labs and smart classrooms at the College of Computing and Information Sciences are planned, alongside new buildings for Electrical, Civil and Mechanical Engineering Departments.
The College of Health Sciences will see expanded preclinical education facilities, and a dedicated structure for the School of Dentistry will incorporate cutting-edge equipment for dental technology, education, and clinical practice. These initiatives are not mere expansions; they aim to elevate Makerere to international benchmarks, fostering an environment where students can engage in hands-on research and practical training.
Furthermore, capacity-building programs will empower staff to harness new technologies, ensuring sustainable operations long after the 42-month implementation period, spanning financial years 2025-2026 to 2029-2030. The timing couldn’t be more opportune. Uganda’s ratio of science and technology graduates to humanities remains at 2:5, a ratio the loan is anticipated to improve to least 3:5 by 2030.
The loan facility addresses immediate challenges like inadequate spaces for growing programs, such as the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, which has seen a rise in intake, with increased interest from international applicants. Additionally, by investing in PhD training at Makerere, the loan reduces reliance on costly overseas programs, enabling resources to be redirected toward comprehensive educational enhancements.
Government’s Broader Strategy
Makerere as the premier regional institution has been prioritized to receive funding based on Government’s recognition of the trickle-down effect that enhancing the capacity at the university has on other higher education institutions and the education ecosystem. This approval builds on Makerere‘s legacy of resilience, positioning it as a beacon for African innovation. In an era where technological advancement defines global progress, this loan propels Makerere toward producing graduates equipped to tackle real-world challenges, from climate resilience to digital transformation.
Ultimately, the KEXIM loan is a timely catalyst for Makerere‘s renaissance. It not only revamps physical infrastructure but also reignites the university’s role in socio-economic transformation, with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) as the executing agency. Therefore, as Uganda eyes Ten-Fold Growth from approximately $50 billion (2023) to $500 billion by 2040 via Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Mineral-based industrialisation, Science and Technology/ICT (ATMS), empowering Makerere University is not just strategic—it’s essential.
Taking Stock of Previous Support
The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) US$29.2 million under the HEST program in 2016 funded infrastructure at Makerere, including two centralised teaching facilities with lecture rooms, auditoriums, e-learning labs, and specialized facilities like diagnostic, biotechnology, GIS, and computer labs. These transformed the skyline, enhanced large-class teaching, research access, and service provision to a thriving staff and students’ community.
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