Makerere University Welcomes a New Cohort of 258 Mastercard Foundation Scholars

A cross-section of Cohort 9 Scholars pose in a photo with officials shortly after getting their award letters.

On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed a new cohort of 258 young people selected to join the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the 2026/2027 academic year. The scholarship award ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Selection Subcommittee for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.

While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Mastercard Foundation Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.

“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your commitment, vision, social engagements and conduct,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.

The Vice Chancellor further urged the new Mastercard Foundation Scholars to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that would support them during their studies and as they transition to the world of work.

Prof. Okumu, the Dean School of Economics, represented the Vice Chancellor at the event.

“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in university life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised. Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue to ensure that all the Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University deliver on their commitments.

Mr. Adrian Bukenya, Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and Interim Country Director for Uganda, urged Mastercard Foundation Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is fundamentally a leadership development program.

Mr. Adrian Bukenya, speaking at the event.

“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Mastercard Foundation Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.

Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.

On his part, the Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Mastercard Foundation Scholars who had made it through a very competitive selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.

“We received 3,664 applications for the scholarship; 2,904 undergraduates and 760 master's students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 undergraduates and 280 master's students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.

L-R: Mr. Charles Ssentongo, Mr. Adrian Bukenya, and Prof. Ibrahim Okumu, awarding one of the Scholars.

Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was limited. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the competitive selection process.

“For the undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 master's applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 master's students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.

The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program since 2013.

Prof. Justine Namaalwa addressing the gathering at the event.

“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Mastercard Foundation Scholars-bringing us to the mark of 546 Mastercard Foundation Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Mastercard Foundation Scholars under Phase II of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Overall, a total of 1,596 Mastercard Foundation Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.

Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity brought by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, highlighting the representation of nine other countries across the African continent. The number of Mastercard Foundation Scholars per country was announced as follows: “For Cohort 9 Mastercard Foundation Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity by nationality. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1), Malawi (1), Ghana (1), Tanzania (1), D.R. Congo (13), Cameroon (7), Burundi (3), Rwanda (10), South Sudan (40).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.

Prof. Namaalwa, posing for a photo with International Scholars.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Speak Out Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.

“On behalf of my fellow Mastercard Foundation Scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious University and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.

Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon speaking at the event.

Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow Mastercard Foundation Scholars, committed to using the opportunities available through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to gain knowledge and skills that he will use to benefit himself and his community. The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of fun and fanfare.

Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.