Kampala, Uganda – Makerere University has formally clarified its actual position in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 World University Rankings following a misreported article by the Daily Monitor on July 8.
According to an official statement from Times Higher Education addressed to Makerere’s Director of Quality Assurance, the university’s performance lies within the 1201–1500 band, not the 41st position in Africa as previously reported.
THE Business Development Manager, Victor Okeugo, emphasized that institutions within each ranking band are listed alphabetically, not by numerical score. Furthermore, he noted that the original article incorrectly conflated World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings, resulting in confusion.
In response, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe issued a statement reaffirming the university’s commitment to transparency and academic excellence. He stressed that beyond THE rankings, Makerere continues to perform strongly in other global assessments.
“According to the latest Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR), Makerere is ranked 13th in Africa and 912th globally, maintaining its place as Uganda’s top academic institution,” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
He also cited EduRank, which places Makerere 7th in Africa with top-tier research performance in Health Sciences and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The university used the opportunity to reassure stakeholders, alumni, and the public that Makerere remains committed to global competitiveness through research excellence, innovation, and teaching quality.
The incident highlights the importance of accurate data interpretation in global university rankings, a critical metric for research funding, international partnerships, and student confidence.
As Uganda’s premier academic institution, Makerere University continues to uphold its reputation on the global stage despite occasional miscommunication in media reporting.
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