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 [190] Undergraduate and [11] Master’s scholarships through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for students joining Makerere University’s main campus in the Academic Year 2025/2026 under the Private Sponsorship Scheme. 

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 fulfill the following conditions.

1. The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus for the academic year 2025/2026. View the Master’s Degree Programmes to be considered for the Scholarships for Academic Year 2025/2026. (PDF)
2. The Applicant must have completed their undergraduate education in an African country.
3. The Applicant should be experiencing financial hardships.
4. The Applicant should not be a holder of any other scholarship.
5. The Applicant should not be pursuing or have completed any Master’s degree studies.
6. The applicant should have demonstrated leadership potential and/ or community service.
7. The Applicant should not be over 35 years of age at the application deadline.
8. Applicants in the Refugee and Students with Disabilities categories should be under 40 years of age at the application deadline.
9. A refugee applicant MUST hold a Refugee Identity card or Family Attestation.
10. The applicant should have applied for any degree programs prioritized under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (please refer to the application form for a list of prioritized programs).