Ultimate University Quiz: Makerere edges out IUIU in season 3 opener
Round Three opened under the banner of Uganda General Knowledge. Now, IUIU answered first. A key question: “In which year were the first multi-party elections held in Uganda after a 20-year break since 1986?” IUIU faltered; Makerere pounced with “2006,” securing 10 points. From there, the pace accelerated.
The quiz mistress, Lydia Lakwonyero (centre) with students from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on the left and Makerere University students on the right as they faced off in Ultimate University Quiz Season Three. (Photo by Miriam Namutebi)
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At 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 4, 2025, the stage was set for the first clash of the Ultimate University Quiz Season 3. Under studio lights, Makerere University and Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) locked horns in a battle of wits.
Lydia Lakwonyero, the quiz mistress, presided over the proceedings with a firm yet encouraging tone, opening the match with a reminder that “as we compete, one of you is going to take this game. We really hope for the best for you.”
By Round Two, the contest had already tightened. IUIU held 130 points against Makerere’s 140, a modest yet unsettled lead for the latter.
(left to right) Makerere University students; Dan Pariyo, Brian Kiti, Oprah Nkalubo and Gilbert Lazzarus Oketch during the Ultimate University Quiz Season 3. (Photo by Miriam Namuteb)
Lakwonyero began Round Two by reaffirming the rules: “I’m going to read a question, answer correctly for 10 points, you only have 10 seconds and if you get it wrong, your opponent has a chance.” She paced the questions through the composite genres of literature and music.
First turning to Makerere, she asked: “Makondo is a fictional city created by which Nobel Prize winner in One Hundred Years of Solitude?” Makerere’s initial guess, “George Marquez,” was wrong. IUIU attempted an answer, but the correct response, Gabriel García Márquez, stood as a reminder of how precise phrasing matters under pressure.
Switching to IUIU, she inquired: “Which prestigious award is given for fiction, drama and poetry in the United States?” Makerere, having a second chance, claimed it, the Pulitzer Prize, sealing the point with clarity.
(left to right) IUIU students; Samantha Marunga, Yusuf Bazatoha and Kyewalanga during the Ultimate University Quiz Season 3. (Photo by Miriam Namutebi)
As the round continued, both sides stumbled and redeemed themselves in quick succession.
By the end of Round Two, the scoreboard read IUIU 130, Makerere 140, just a hair’s breadth apart, setting the stage for a tight showdown.
Round Three opened under the banner of Uganda General Knowledge. Now, IUIU answered first. A key question: “In which year were the first multi-party elections held in Uganda after a 20-year break since 1986?” IUIU faltered; Makerere pounced with “2006,” securing 10 points. From there, the pace accelerated.
At the close of Round Three, the hands of fate had tied them: IUIU 220, Makerere 220, an exact standoff.
Then came the Rapid Round: no bouncing of questions between teams, each university faced its own volley in sports trivia. IUIU went first: they flinched on a few calls, guessing names and legends like Andres Iniesta, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro under pressure.
Makerere followed with urgency: Lothar Matthäus, Miroslav Klose, Gianluigi Buffon, Eto’o, Majid Musisi, each correct, each response pushing toward momentum.
The quiz mistress, Lydia Lakwonyero (centre) in a group photo with students from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on the left and Makerere University students on the right as they faced off in Ultimate University Quiz Season Three. (Photo by Miriam Namutebi)
At the close of the rapid barrage, the final tallies were in: Makerere University 280, IUIU 270. A razor-thin 10-point margin handed Makerere the victory in Game One of Season 3.
Sponsors
The main sponsor of the quiz is Bank of Uganda. The others are Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Parliament of Uganda and Harris International.
Prizes
Four teams will be playing the knockout quiz every Saturday and Sunday until the grand finale on November 27. The winner will take home sh25m worth of equipment, while the four participants and their coach will each receive sh1m and a new laptop.
The second-place winner will receive sh15m, with each of the four participants taking a cash prize of sh500,000 and a laptop, while the third-place winner will take sh10m and each participant will receive a cash prize of sh300,000 along with a tablet. Each participant and coach, including those who drop out in the first game get sh200,000.