The decline in the Makerere University global ranking has alarmed education experts, students, and staff. Once celebrated as a top African institution, Makerere now finds itself far from the top 10 on the continent. The drop highlights deep-rooted problems, including mismanagement, poor governance, and a repressive institutional environment.
In 2025, the Times Higher Education (THE) ranked Makerere 41st in Africa, grouping it with 31 other universities. Globally, it landed between positions 1,201 and 1,500. Just two years earlier, Makerere held 5th place in sub-Saharan Africa. However, by 2024, it had dropped to 8th.
This downward trend shows several critical challenges. According to THE, Makerere scored 20.9% in teaching, 6.4% for research environment, and 20.1% in industry income. Its research quality reached 45.1%, while international outlook stood at 67.4%.
Despite these figures, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe insists the university remains vibrant. “We still attract many international conferences and publish heavily,” he said. Yet he also admitted the drop in rankings concerns the administration and needs a serious review.
The Makerere University global ranking continues to fall, partly because new metrics emphasize international student ratios and citation impact. Although Makerere increased its research publications, their global influence did not grow at the same pace.
The Centre for World University Rankings places Makerere 13th in Africa and 912th globally. It holds the national top spot, but its global standing in employability and research lags. The university ranks 1,571 in graduate employability and 871 in research performance.
Educationists argue that more than academic metrics are to blame. Many point to increasing repression within the institution. Internal sources report that staff fear retribution, lack freedom of expression, and face autocratic leadership. Critics argue that strict policies have discouraged academic dialogue and innovation.
“People no longer feel free to speak,” said one lecturer. “There’s no liberty to question or propose new ideas. Staff follow instructions but no longer feel inspired to go beyond them.”
The university’s management style discourages participation. Sources say administrators have heavily restricted student politics, banned demonstrations, and shut down open debates. While the government claims this promotes order, staff say it has stifled the spirit of academia. The Makerere University global ranking reflects this erosion of academic freedom.
One contentious issue is the biometric clock-in system, which tracks staff attendance. Management introduced the system to improve accountability, but it has drawn criticism for being rigid and poorly suited to academic work. Critics say research and fieldwork cannot be judged by clock-in data alone.
“In a university, expecting professors to clock in and out like factory workers makes no sense,” one insider noted. “They check in, leave, then clock out later. But this doesn’t reflect real academic work.”
Research—once Makerere’s strength—has also declined. Staff claim that management allocates funding based on loyalty, not merit. Competent researchers often miss out on resources while politically favored individuals secure grants.
“There’s an innovation fund,” one staff member explained. “But decision-makers first ask who submitted the proposal. They favor loyalists, not the most qualified applicants.”
The Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) has voiced similar concerns. Dr. Robert Kakuru, the MUASA chairperson, says academic freedom has suffered, and management punishes those who speak out.
“The decline in the Makerere University global ranking mirrors the decline in our administrative culture,” he said. “Academic staff can only thrive when they’re supported, motivated, and free to speak.”
He also criticized the government’s unequal treatment of staff. While administrators and professors receive good salaries, junior academic staff remain underpaid. The clocking system has replaced intrinsic motivation with surveillance.
Promotion procedures also raise concerns. Several lecturers say only loyal or well-connected staff secure promotions. They describe a system riddled with favoritism and unofficial payments.
“Even those who qualify for promotion face endless delays,” Dr. Kakuru said. “Talented researchers are leaving for institutions abroad.”
Academic freedom continues to shrink. Staff say those who challenge management receive disciplinary action. Instead of engaging in dialogue, the administration uses warnings, suspensions, and transfers to silence dissent.
“Many staff now engage in silent protest,” Dr. Kakuru warned. “If management refuses to change course, the Makerere University global ranking will continue to drop.”
Prof. Nawangwe, however, denies these claims. He maintains that only hooliganism has been eliminated. “The university remains vibrant,” he said. “We host major international conferences on climate change, education reform, and other global issues.”
Staffing issues persist. In 2021, Makerere terminated over 600 employees. As of early 2024, more than 60% of staff positions remain unfilled. Departments now operate with minimal faculty, straining academic quality.
Parliamentary records show that only 78 of the 419 professor positions are filled. The university also lacks hundreds of lecturers and assistant lecturers, leaving students with limited instruction and mentorship.
These staffing gaps continue to affect performance. Without adequate educators, the quality of education has declined. This erosion has directly influenced Makerere’s position in global rankings.
Despite reassurances from leadership, many argue that recovery will require more than funding. They call for fair promotions, academic freedom, and an overhaul of leadership culture. Without real change, the Makerere University global ranking may continue to spiral downward.
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