Makerere University College of Computing & Information Science (MaK CoCIS)

What Makerere University College of Computing & Information Science (MaK CoCIS) does

Makerere University College of Computing and Information Science (CoCIS) is a public academic college established on December 13, 2010 as one of nine constituent colleges of Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. It delivers computing, informatics, and information science education from undergraduate through doctoral levels, organized into two schools: the School of Computing and Informatics Technology (SCIT) and the East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS). The college offers 17 graduate programs spanning PhDs, Masters, and Postgraduate Diplomas, with infrastructure capacity for over 10,000 students across three campus buildings, including state-of-the-art lecture theaters, specialized computer laboratories, and a college library.

CoCIS operates dedicated research centers that anchor its AI/ML work, including the Makerere University Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (Mak-CAD, launched March 2025), the AI Health Lab (established November 2024), and the Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development (CiPSD). Proprietary research outputs span multiple AI modalities: computer vision (FloralIntel medicinal plant identification), predictive analytics (87.4%-accuracy ML model for Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak prediction), NLP (projects attracting USD 200,000 in external funding), generative AI (Auto Speech Translator), and IoT sensor systems (100+ air quality monitors deployed, smart bee hive technology). The college also incubated over 100 projects and facilitated 11 spin-off companies through the Makerere University Technology and Innovations Centre.

Revenue derives from four streams: tuition and academic fees (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral programs), research grants from government (MakRIF) and international development partners (World Bank, NORAD, USAID, UKRI, Gates Foundation, Korea Exim Bank), professional development and short courses through CiPSD, and a permanent Endowment Fund launched in August 2025. Strategic industry partnerships with Cisco, Huawei, Google AI, and Oracle support curricular certifications and a graduate talent pipeline, while academic partnerships via Erasmus+, the University of Borås (Sweden), Amity University (India), Open University of Cyprus, and University of Pretoria enable student and faculty exchange. The college generated approximately USD 8 million during Prof. Tonny Oyana's 2017-2025 tenure and held nearly USD 7 million in reserves at handover.

Name

Makerere University College of Computing & Information Science (MaK CoCIS)

Legal name

Makerere University College of Computing & Information Sciences (CoCIS)

Website

https://cocis.mak.ac.ug

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CoCIS is a public academic college at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, delivering computing and information science education from diploma to PhD level, with dedicated AI, data science, and digital health research centers serving East African and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education and Academic Research Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Computer Training (611420), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF), AI & Machine Learning (Foundations & Applied) (EDAMACAG), Data, Analytics & AI Training (BI, Data Engineering, ML/GenAI) (BPAEANAH)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Computing research programs
• Academic degree programs
• Professional ICT training
• Information science education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition and academic fees for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across computing and information sciences disciplines.
2. Research Grants and Funding: External funding from government agencies (MakRIF), international development partners (World Bank, NORAD, USAID, UKRI), and research foundations for specific research projects and graduate training.
3. Endowment Fund: Permanent Endowment Fund launched in August 2025 to provide sustainable support for student scholarships, boost research capacity, and maintain cutting-edge technological infrastructure.
4. Professional Development and Short Courses: Revenue from CiPSD (Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development) delivering state-of-art practical training in ICT and professional skills programs for external participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CoCIS delivers undergraduate, postgraduate (MSc, PGD), and doctoral (PhD) academic programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Networks, Library and Information Science, and Records and Archives Management through two schools (SCIT and EASLIS). The college also operates the Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development (CiPSD) for professional ICT short courses, the Mak-CAD research center for AI and data science, and the AI Health Lab for healthcare-focused AI research. Research output spans AI/ML, IoT sensors, computer vision, NLP, and applied solutions for health, agriculture, and environment in African contexts.

Product overview

Makerere University College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) is an academic institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and research initiatives. The college is organized into two schools: the School of Computing and Informatics Technology (SCIT) and the East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS), each housing multiple departments. Supporting the academic programs are specialized centers including the Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development (CiPSD) for short-course training, the Makerere University Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (Mak-CAD) for AI research, and the AI Health Lab for health-focused AI applications. The college also operates the Research Innovation Skills Enhancement (RISE) Fund to support faculty research. Programs span undergraduate to doctoral levels across computing, information systems, library science, and records management disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Academic Programs Bachelor's degree programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Networks, Records and Archives Management, and Library and Information Science for prospective undergraduate students seeking quality computing education and ICT career preparation.
• Postgraduate Academic Programs (MSc, PGD, PhD) 17 graduate programs spanning PhD degrees, Masters programs (MSc) in Computing and Informatics Technology, Information Systems, and Library and Information Science, plus Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD) for advanced research training and doctoral-level education.
• CiPSD Professional ICT Training Programs Professional short courses and certificate programs delivered through the Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development (CiPSD), providing practical ICT training for external participants, SME entrepreneurs, and community members seeking digital skills.
• Makerere University Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (Mak-CAD) A dedicated AI and data science research center launched in March 2025 focused on advancing AI research and innovation for Africa's development, hosting faculty research projects, training programs, and industry collaborations in responsible AI.
• AI Health Lab A research lab established in November 2024 applying artificial intelligence to African health systems, developing tools including smartphone-based malaria diagnosis and other AI-driven healthcare solutions for African health contexts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87.4% accuracy in FMD outbreak prediction using ML models
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CiscocoreTechnology or IntegrationCisco African Networking Academy partnership providing global computing skills certification and training. CoCIS hosts Cisco African Networking Academy Safari events and has been a testing center offering global examinations. The partnership supports curriculum development and instructor training.
• HuaweicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICT Talent Development Programme providing professional training for graduates. Huawei onboards Makerere graduates for six-month intensive training in ICT domains. Partnership includes equipment donations and capacity building initiatives.
• University of Borås (Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ ICM and Linnaeus-Palme projects enabling exchange of undergraduate students, academic staff, and administrative staff. SIDA-funded program for sustainable internalization in library and information education. Three-year project with 18 students, 9 academic staff, and 3 administrative staff benefiting.
• Google AImajorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership supporting AI research and innovation initiatives at the college.
• University of Pretoria (South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Digital Integrity conference organized by EASLIS. Partnership for academic conferences and knowledge exchange in computing ethics and responsibility.
• Open University of CypruscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for AI in Everyday Life Skills Training 2025. Joint training program for skills development.
• Amity University (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnere-VBAB Project Phase 2 collaboration where 71 CoCIS students graduated. Virtual Bridging for Augmented Beneficiation project enabling distance education partnerships.
• Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint session with SCIT to strengthen awareness of data protection laws among ICT students and researchers. Focus on practical application of Uganda's Data Protection and Privacy Act (2018) to AI, research, and innovation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carnegie Mellon University Africa: Rwanda-based CMU Africa is the most direct peer — a graduate-focused computing and AI institute on the African continent, competing for the same pan-African talent pool and donor funding. Both institutions target MSc/PhD-level ICT talent development in East Africa.
• University of Cape Town — Department of Computer Science: UCT's CS department is one of Africa's leading computing research groups, with strong AI/ML output and industry partnerships — a direct continental peer competing for top African STEM students and faculty.
• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS): AIMS operates a pan-African network of centers of excellence delivering postgraduate training in mathematical sciences, with strong overlap on AI, data science, and applied research — directly competing for the same donor pool and African STEM talent pipeline.
• University of Pretoria — Department of Computer Science: University of Pretoria is an existing CoCIS collaboration partner (Digital Integrity conference) and operates a comparable computing faculty with research strengths in AI and information science — a direct regional peer in southern Africa.
• University of Nairobi — School of Computing and Informatics: UoN's School of Computing and Informatics is the closest East African competitor to CoCIS, offering parallel undergraduate and postgraduate computing programs and competing for the same regional student and donor pool.

Emerging players

• ALX Africa: ALX Africa is a fast-scaling, donor-backed tech-talent accelerator offering short, intensive software and AI programs across the continent — an emerging competitor for the same entry-level ICT talent pipeline that CoCIS addresses through CiPSD.
• Ashesi University: Ashesi is a leading liberal-arts-and-engineering university in Ghana with growing computer science capacity; it competes for top African undergraduate talent and is a credible emerging alternative to CoCIS for West African students.
• Andela: Andela is a global talent-marketplace company originating in Africa that trains and places software engineers; it overlaps with CoCIS as a producer of African tech talent and competes for industry-partner mindshare (Huawei/Google-type partnerships).

Others

• Coursera: Coursera is an adjacent EdTech platform that partners with top universities (including African institutions) to deliver online computing and AI credentials. It is an enabling/thematic peer — not a direct competitor for CoCIS's on-campus degrees, but a model for scaling African-context content globally.

Broad incumbents

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT): IIT is a broad-incumbent technical-university peer: a globally renowned technical university system producing world-class computing and AI graduates. Not a direct Africa competitor, but a model and competitive benchmark for talent quality and international recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/makcocis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Makerere University College of Computing & Information Science (MaK CoCIS)