Makerere Challenges Low Ranking, Reaffirms Commitment to Academic Excellence

Makerere University has issued a strong rebuttal to an article titled “Mak Drops Marks” published by the Daily Monitor on July 8, 2025, citing concerns over misrepresentation and omission of critical achievements.

The University’s Public Relations Office released a detailed clarification to address inaccuracies and urge responsible journalism in reporting on institutional performance.

At the heart of the rebuttal is what the University describes as a misrepresentation of ranking data. According to the statement, the Daily Monitor erroneously compared two separate metrics — the Sub-Saharan African University Rankings and the World University Rankings — to paint a false picture of Makerere’s trajectory.

The University clarified that while it ranked 8th in the 2024 Sub-Saharan African University Rankings, the 2025 edition of that regional ranking has not yet been published.

“Any attempt to draw conclusions from two distinct ranking systems is misleading and undermines the integrity of the facts,” the statement noted, adding that such reporting is detrimental to the University’s reputation and may cause undue concern among stakeholders.

In addition, Makerere University called out the omission of its significant strides in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which measure universities’ contributions toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University improved its global standing from the 601–800 band in 2024 to the 301–400 band in 2025. Most notably, it ranked 17th globally in SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth and maintained strong performance in Quality Education (SDG 4) within the 401–600 band.

“These results reflect our deep commitment to research and innovation that drive social and economic transformation,” the University said.

While acknowledging that it experienced some decline in specific areas of the World University Rankings, Makerere emphasised a balanced perspective. “We view these areas as opportunities for improvement while continuing to celebrate our strengths — especially our high-quality research output and growing international collaborations,” the statement added.

The University urged the media and the public to engage with verified and complete data, cautioning against sensationalism that distorts institutional progress.

“We welcome scrutiny but expect it to be fair, factual, and constructive. Makerere remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and societal development,” the Public Relations Office stated.