Makerere, Mbarara advance to Ultimate University Quiz 2026 quarterfinals

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 THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSITY QUIZ 2026 

Makerere University became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the fourth season of The Ultimate University Quiz after defeating Soroti University in Game 5 on Saturday.

On Sunday, inaugural champions Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST) followed Makerere into the last-eight by eliminating reigning champions Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Game 6 on Sunday.

Like all the previous and upcoming games of this season, Game 5 and Game 6 were broadcast live on Bukedde TV 1, TV West, Wan Luo TV and the Vision Digital Experience (ViDE) app starting 7:30pm.

In the opening Round of 16 duel, Makerere emerged victorious over Soroti, securing their place in the next stage of this annual competition.

 SOROTI TEAM: 

▪️Precious Boss Kasasira: Year 4, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
▪️Edwin Ryan Enyomu: Year 1, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
▪️Cherie Namusuubo: Year 3, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
▪️Jonathan Kiguli: Year 3, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Finance and Computing

 MAKERERE TEAM: 

▪️Brian Kiti: Year 4, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
▪️Fahad Kimera Ndawula: Year 3, Bachelor of Law
▪️Ruth Charlotte Nasirumbi: Year 1, Bachelor of Arts in Economics
▪️Gilbert Oketch Lazzarus: Year 4, Petroleum Geoscience and Production

Makerere took an early lead in the first round, which featured questions in the category of science. They picked up 80 points, which Soroti gathering 20 points less from this opening round.

In the second round, covering current affairs, Makerere added 80 points to their tally to reach 160 points while Soroti scored 20 points to move to 80 points.

In the third round of category literature, Makerere once again had the edge, bagging 40 points to get to 200 points while Soroti added 30 points in their bag to make it to 110 points.

Both teams scored 60 points in the fourth and final round, which featured questions on world affairs in 2026.

Quiz project manager Max Adii attributed Makerere's victory to its strong performance in current affairs and world affairs.

"Makerere University edged out Soroti University, thanks to their commanding performance in current affairs and world affairs in round two, which left Soroti trailing by a wide margin. With such a point difference, a comeback becomes incredibly difficult," he said.

Soroti had reached the round of 16 after eliminating the University of Kisubi in the season's opening game.

In Game 6 on Sunday, two teams that had ever won the quiz title faced off.

 MBARARA TEAM: 

▪️Stewart Agaba: Year 5, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
▪️Keith Kissa Ndiema: Year 2, Bachelor of Computer Science
▪️Joseph Ssenkungu: Year 3, Bachelor of Computer Science
▪️Bernard Kazibwe Yerbeth: Year 5, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

 UCU TEAM: 

▪️Emmanuel Alinda: Year 3, Bachelor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
▪️Esther Mukama: Year 2, Bachelor of Law
▪️Jesse Etanu Miruka: Year 3, Bachelor of Law
▪️Racheal Namutebi Angelica: Year 4, Bachelor of Nursing Science

In the opening round, the contestants were on the receiving end of questions about global affairs. It was a close contest, with MUST (100 points) taking a slim 10-point lead against UCU (90 points).

Round two was about East Africa and tax. It was a difficult round for both teams, but once again, MUST maintained their advantage. They picked up 60 points to rise to 160 points against UCU's 130 points.

In the penultimate round of the category of science, the inaugural champions kept one foot ahead by adding 70 points to their tally (230 points) while the reigning champions trailed on 180 points, having picked 50 points from this round.

In the decisive round, it was a forgettable round for UCU, who did not correctly answer any of the 10 questions about athletes and record holders to remain on 180 points.

That meant MUST knew they were only playing this final round for formality, with victory already assured. They improved their tally by bagging 40 points to lock in the victory on 270 points.

Muni University and Uganda Martyrs University failed to reach the Round of 16 after losing to Lira University and Kampala University, respectively.

This season is featuring 20 universities competing for the championship, prizes worth millions of shillings and equipment, alongside the honour of being crowned Uganda's leading university quiz team. 

Participation has grown from 16 universities in 2023 to 17 in 2024, 18 in 2025 and 20 this year.

Season 4's winner will be announced on November 26, the day of the grand finale.

Organised by Vision Group, the competition is sponsored by:

▪️Bank of Uganda (platinum sponsor)
▪️Uganda Communications Commission
▪️Uganda Revenue Authority
▪️Turkish Airlines
▪️Capital Markets Authority Uganda
▪️Parliament
▪️Hariss International Limited
▪️National Environment Management Authority

Vision Group deputy editor-in-chief Felix Osike said the quiz aims to develop knowledgeable and confident young people. He encouraged eliminated teams to learn from the experience and prepare for future competitions.

Osike congratulated Makerere students for defying the odds, having been defeated in the first round twice in the previous competitions to make it to the quarter-finals.

"They learnt from their previous mistakes and put up a spirited fight to remain in the much-prized competition. Their determination has paid off."

Round of 16 action continues this weekend.

Debutants Nkumba University will take on Kabale University on Saturday (October 24) for a place in the quarterfinals while Kyambogo University will battle with Bugema University on Sunday (October 25).