Makerere University has unveiled a strategic academic restructuring plan that will see a gradual reduction in undergraduate intake alongside a deliberate expansion of postgraduate programmes, particularly at Masters and PhD levels. The move signals a long-term institutional shift aimed at strengthening research output and positioning the university as a knowledge-driven hub that directly supports national development.

University officials indicate that the policy direction is aligned with a broader vision of transforming Makerere into a research-intensive institution capable of generating high-impact innovations, policy solutions, and skilled researchers. By increasing postgraduate enrolment, the university seeks to deepen advanced scholarship, enhance academic specialization, and improve the quality of research addressing Uganda’s socio-economic priorities.

Academic leaders note that the adjustment in enrolment structure is not merely about numbers but about redefining the university’s academic focus. With global higher education trends increasingly favouring research productivity and graduate-level training, the shift is expected to elevate Makerere’s competitiveness in regional and international academic rankings while also strengthening partnerships with industry, government, and development agencies.

Education analysts observe that expanding postgraduate programmes could help bridge critical gaps in research, technology development, and evidence-based policymaking. A stronger postgraduate ecosystem is also likely to support innovation in key sectors such as health, agriculture, technology, and public policy, which are central to Uganda’s long-term transformation agenda.

The university’s leadership maintains that the transition will be implemented gradually to ensure academic stability and maintain access to quality higher education. In the long run, the strategy is expected to create a more balanced academic structure that supports both foundational learning and advanced research training, reinforcing Makerere’s role as a leading centre of excellence in Africa.