Only 50 scoop gov't scholarships at Makerere

May 16, 2016

Only 32 of the successful applicants scored 60 percent

Only 51 of the 396 senior six leavers who passed this year's Bachelor of Laws pre- entry test of Makerere University have been admitted to the course under the government sponsorship scheme.

According to the admission list only 32 of the successful applicants scored 60 percent, which was the minimum score for one to scoop a government scholarship.

However, due to the poor performance of the applicants, an additional 19 students who scored 58 and 59 percent in the pre entry test were admitted under the government sponsorship scheme.

Charles Ssentongo the Deputy Academic registrar in charge of admissions at Makerere University said only those who had applied for the course on government sponsorship through the Public University Joint Admissions Board (PUJAB) were selected.

"Students who scored at least 50 percent and have not been admitted on national merit are free to apply for the course under the private sponsorship scheme, before May 27," he said.

Over 75 percent of the 1,637 students who sat for the test failed to score the pass mark of 50 percent, to enable them join law school when the new academic year opens in August.

Makerere introduced pre-entry examinations in 2012 for students who wished to pursue the Bachelor of Laws programme.

Only candidates who obtained a minimum of 13 points (Males) and 12 points (for females) in any A-Level combination, for Humanities and Sciences will be considered for private sponsorship.

However, students who did their A-Level before 2013 should have 15 and 14 points for male and female applicants respectively, diploma holders must possess at least a 2nd Class or Credit Diploma in any discipline from a recognised institution.

Mature age applicants should have passed the Mature Age Entry Examination (for Bachelor of Laws) for either 2014/2015 or 2015/2016 Academic Year.

Ssentongo said applicants under the mature age entry scheme are not eligible for government sponsorship, and are thus encouraged to apply under the private sponsorship scheme.

Makerere private applications online

Meanwhile, students hoping to join Makerere University this year have heaved a sigh of relief as they do not have to queue up for days just to submit their application forms.

The university has digitalized the system to allow all applicants submit their academic documents online, wherever they are.

According to the application guidelines at the university's senate building, applicants are supposed to complete their submissions through the website applications.mak.ac.ug/.

An applicant only needs to create an account on the applications portal, using a valid email address in order to complete the application process, in addition to having all their academic documents and birth certificate scanned.

"After submitting your application, please generate a bank slip that you shall use to make your payments at a bank of your choice. Please note that the application process after the application fee has been paid," he guidelines state.

Previously, students lined up at the office of the academic registrar to physically submit their application forms.

But today, it is not the same. One can hardly see a single applicant at the university's senate building, save for those that are making amendments to their applications and those that made mistakes.

  However, Ssentongo warned applicants to watch out for fraudsters who are asking for a fee to help students apply.

"The University has secured for venues at which students can be helped free of charge, at the senate and main buildings," he said.

Students' loans up for grabs

As students apply to various universities of choice under the private sponsorship scheme, the Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB) in the Education Ministry has called on students to apply for study loans for the 2016/17 academic year.

A total of 1,200 students are admitted under the scheme each year, to 50 undergraduate and 62 diploma programmes.

The scheme operates in seven public universities including Makerere, Kyambogo, Busitema, Gulu, Muni, Kabale and Mbarara.

Eight Private Universities including Ndejje, Nkumba, Uganda Martyrs, Uganda Christian University, Bugema University, and Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala International University and Bishop Stuart are also recognised to support the scheme.

Last year, the board also approved 33 diploma awarding institutions for the scheme.            

According to the Board's Executive Director Michael Wanyama, loans will be awarded to students admitted to the partner universities under the private sponsorship scheme.

He said application can either be done through the internet or offline.

"Eligible applicants should get a hard copy of the application form from the participating Universities or from any centenary bank branch country wide. Those applying online should do it through the board's website www.hesfb.go.ug," he said.

He added that filled in application forms should be submitted to any centenary bank branch after payment of a nonrefundable fee of Sh50,000.

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