LISTS: Names of 2485 Students Admitted to All Public Universities on Government Sponsorship (National Merit) for 2026-2027 Academic Year

All 10 public universities in Uganda have released lists with names of students admitted on government sponsorship under the national merit scheme for the 2026-2027 academic year. Up to 2,485 students were admitted for the coveted scholarships under the national merit scheme. In this report, we look at the lists with Names of 2485 Students Admitted to All Public Universities on Government Sponsorship (National Merit) for 2026-2027 Academic Year. 

The government sponsorship is divided into several categories. The National Merit Scheme (Direct Entry Admissions) is the largest category, admitting top-performing students from across the country.

There is also the District Quota Scheme under which students are selected based on their district of origin, aiming for national representation.

There are also Special Schemes. These include 40 slots for talented sportspersons and 64 slots for persons with disabilities.

Diploma Holders are also admitted to university degree programs, usually limited to five per cent of the total intake capacity.

The National Merit Government Sponsorship Scheme remains Uganda’s most competitive pathway for admission into public universities on full government funding.

The scheme benefits brilliant students are selected strictly based, largely, on their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results.

These students are ranked nationally and allocated public university places depending on merit, programme choice, and national priority areas, especially in science, technology, engineering, medicine, and education.

In recent years, government has insisted on 70 per cent of scholarships going to students pursuing science related academic programs.

Uganda’s public university system under this scheme includes institutions with distinct academic strengths and regional mandates. Makerere University (founded 1922) remains the oldest and most competitive, known for research, medicine, engineering, humanities, and leadership training.

Kyambogo University focuses on teacher education, special needs education, vocational and industrial training. Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is widely recognised for medical training and health sciences. Gulu University specialises in agriculture, peacebuilding, and post-conflict development studies, while Busitema University is known for engineering, agricultural sciences, and hands-on technical training.

Other institutions also receive government-sponsored students under the merit allocation system. Lira University  focuses on health sciences and medical training and hosts a teaching hospital. Muni University emphasises science, technology, and community development, particularly in the West Nile region. Soroti University is gradually building capacity in engineering and applied sciences.

Kabale University offers programmes in education, business, social sciences, and health sciences. Makerere University Business School specialises in business, accounting, and management training, while Mountains of the Moon University focuses on agriculture, environment, and community development in western Uganda.

Each year, government offers 4,000 scholarships for university students. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Makerere University will take a total of 1,672 students under government sponsorship schemes. Kyambogo will admit 750 students, Makerere University Business School (Mubs) will take 388 students, Gulu University will admit 235 students, while Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) will admit 205 students.

Mountains of the Moon University, Muni University, Kabale University, Lira University, Soroti University, and the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE) will each take 100 students.

The lists with Names of 2485 Students Admitted to All Public Universities on Government Sponsorship (National Merit) for 2026-2027 Academic Year, for each university, are below:

1. Makerere University and MUBS
2. Kyambogo University
3. Gulu University 
4. Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)
5. Busitema University and Soroti University
6. Kabale University and Mountains of the Moon University 
7. Muni University
8. Lira University 

You can see the list of Uganda’s best 65 universities and institutes in 2026 Here.