Overview

Makerere University, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is offering 1,000 scholarships over the next 10 years to academically talented young men and women from Sub-Saharan Africa who face financial hardship. These scholarships aim to provide access to higher education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Undergraduate Scholarships

About the Scholarship

Makerere University Management and the Mastercard Foundation renewed their partnership for the second phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program through 2034. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University aims to deepen inclusive University education and empower 1,000 young people from Africa to make meaningful contributions to national and regional development. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University will provide scholarships for 10 years at the main campus for Undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree) and Graduate levels. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will support talented young men and women from Sub-Saharan Africa who are facing economic barriers in pursuing university education.

Makerere University is pleased to announce the Second Cohort of [245] Undergraduate and [13] Master’s scholarships through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for students joining Makerere University’s main campus in the Academic Year 2026/2027 under the Private Sponsorship Scheme.

Application Procedure

Prospective applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus can access and complete the application form AT NO COST through the Online Application Portal https://apply.mastercardfoundation.mak.ac.ug/scholarships

Deadline for Submission of Application

The application submission deadline is 5th June 2026, at 11:59 PM EAT.

For inquiries or clarifications, please call our office mobile line +256 700-716-128 or email info@mastercardfdn.mak.ac.ug

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus, an applicant must belong to one of the following categories: Ugandan nationals, refugees, students with disabilities, internally displaced young people, or international students, and fulfil the following conditions;

1. The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus under the private sponsorship scheme for the academic year 2025/2026.

2. The Applicant must have either;

   • Completed their advanced secondary level education (or its equivalent) in an African country or

   • Hold second class/credit diploma from any recognized institution or

   • Must have passed the mature age entry of Makerere University

3. The Applicant should be experiencing financial hardships.

4. The Applicant should not be a holder of any other scholarship, including the Government of Uganda Scholarship.

5. The Applicant should not have completed any undergraduate degree Programme.

6. The Applicant should have demonstrated leadership potential and/or community service.

7. The Applicant should be 28 years old or younger at the time of the application deadline.

8. Applicants in the Refugee or Persons with Disabilities categories should be 32 years old or younger at the time of the application deadline.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further selection engagements.

Applicants are advised to read the application guidelines before completing the form.

NOTE

1. The Department of Academic Registrar is responsible for all University admissions. All scholarship applicants should first apply for admission to Makerere University’s main campus through the private sponsorship scheme. 

2. At least 70% of the scholarships awarded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will be awarded to young women while a minimum of 30% to young men. Young women are therefore encouraged to apply.

3. At least 25% of the scholarships awarded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program shall be awarded to Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Young people in this Category are therefore encouraged to apply. Internally displaced people, referred to as IDPs, are persons who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, persecution, or natural disasters. These individuals are often resettled in other areas within the borders of their own country. They should have a recommendation from the Office of the Prime Minister or its representative in the area.

4. At least 10% of the scholarships awarded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program shall be awarded to Young People with Disabilities. Young people in this category are therefore encouraged to apply

5. Incomplete application forms will be automatically disqualified.

6. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University practices merit principles and has zero tolerance for dishonesty. Any form of influence peddling will automatically disqualify the applicant. 

7. Cases of impersonation, falsification of documents, or giving false/incomplete information, whether discovered at the time of receiving the award or afterwards, will lead to automatic cancellation of the award, refund of the money already spent on a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, and prosecution in the courts of law of Uganda if necessary.

8. Makerere University appeals to the public to be aware of fraudsters within or outside of the University who might want to take advantage of the scholarship application process by soliciting money with a promise of securing a scholarship for an applicant. THE APPLICATION PROCESS OF THE MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS IS FREE OF CHARGE; individuals caught in the act of conning the public will be prosecuted in courts of law.

9. Only successful applicants will be notified at every stage of the application process.

10. Those applicants who will not have heard from us by the end of August 2026 should consider their application unsuccessful.

11. Filling out and applying the form does not guarantee acceptance into the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus.

Ready to Apply? Click here to get started.

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Graduate (Master’s) Scholarships