Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine

What Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine does

Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine is a public medical school established in 1924 in Kampala, Uganda, operating as a department within Makerere University, the country's oldest and largest public university. The institution delivers undergraduate medical training leading to the MBChB degree, graduate programs including Master of Medicine, Public Health, and Clinical Epidemiology, and continuing professional development, with hands-on clinical training delivered at Mulago National Referral Hospital through departments such as Pediatrics, Anaesthesia, Family Medicine, Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychiatry.

The school operates an extensive research infrastructure comprising dedicated institutes and programs including the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University Joint AIDS Program, Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre, SPARCO, ENRICH, THRiVE, MAK-ImS, HEPI-SHSSU, and BSSR in HIV, the majority funded by the NIH, Fogarty International Center, and other international research bodies. It also runs an international academic mobility program with clinical exchange partnerships across Yale, Northwestern, Cambridge, Karolinska Institutet, University of Minnesota, Des Moines University, Magna Graecia University, Medical University of Graz, and Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, alongside recent strategic MoUs with Chosun University and LSHTM.

The business model is that of a public university department: it is government-owned through Makerere University and resourced via student tuition, government subsidies, and competitive research grants from international funders (NIH, Fogarty, Erasmus+). Tuition is not publicly disclosed, and the institution does not operate on a commercial revenue model. It served its 101st cohort of health sciences students at the 91st White Coat Ceremony in March 2026 and convenes flagship scientific forums including the Joint Annual Scientific Conference and Makerere Bioethics Conference.

Name

Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine

Legal name

Makerere University School of Medicine

Website

https://som.mak.ac.ug

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine is a public medical school in Kampala, Uganda, established in 1924, offering MBChB and graduate medical training, operating 11+ NIH-funded research institutes, and serving East African students and patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (6221), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAGAB

Medical Schools (MD/DO Granting)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Medical & Health Sciences Universities

SECONDARYEDAHAAAC

Public Research Universities with Academic Medical Centers (AMCs)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Public Research Universities

Keywords

• Medical education
• Clinical research programs
• Healthcare training services
• Graduate medical studies
• Public health research

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Public university funded through student tuition, government subsidies, and research grants from international funding bodies including NIH, Fogarty International Center
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Significant funding from NIH, National Institutes of Health on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Mental Health, Fogarty International Center, and other international research funders

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine delivers undergraduate medical education (MBChB) and graduate programs (Master of Medicine, Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology, Health Services Research) with clinical training at Mulago National Referral Hospital. It operates multiple research institutes and programs (SPARCO, ENRICH, THRiVE, MAK-ImS, HEPI-SHSSU, BSSR, MLI, IDI, MJAP, MakBRC) addressing HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, infectious diseases, lung health, implementation science, and biomedical research, alongside international clinical exchange opportunities for students.

Product overview

Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine is a leading medical school in Uganda and East Africa, established in 1924 as part of Makerere University. The institution offers a unified portfolio consisting of undergraduate and graduate medical education programs (MBChB and specialty degrees), supported by clinical training at University Hospital. The institution maintains an extensive research infrastructure comprising multiple dedicated institutes and programs including the Makerere University Lung Institute, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre, and Makerere University Joint AIDS Program. Research capacity is further enhanced through specialized training programs such as SPARCO (Sickle Cell Disease), ENRICH, THRiVE, MAK-ImS (Implementation Science), HEPI-SHSSU (Health Professions Education), and BSSR in HIV. The institution supports student development through MUMSA, international exchange programs with global partners, and maintains the Sir Albert Cook Medical Library as a resource hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MUMSA: Makerere University Medical Students Association - student organization representing medical students

Products and services

• Medical Education Programs Undergraduate and graduate medical education programs including the MBChB degree, various specialty programs, and continuing professional development for healthcare professionals.
• University Hospital Teaching hospital providing clinical care and training for medical students through clinical rotations and specialized clinical departments.
• Sickle Pan African Consortium Uganda (SPARCO) A clinical care research and training project focused on improving health outcomes for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease in Uganda through evidence-based interventions, including a centralized patient registry and regional standards of care.
• ENRICH (Enhancing Research Capacity for Sickle Cell Disease) Multi-disciplinary research capacity building initiative for Sickle Cell Disease and related Non-Communicable Diseases across the lifespan in Uganda.
• THRiVE (Training Health Researchers into Vocational Excellence) African institution infrastructure and staff capacity development program to support world-class research programmes.
• MAK-ImS (Implementation Science Training Program) Implementation science training program funded by NIH-Fogarty International Center, a collaboration between Makerere University and University of California San Francisco.
• HEPI-SHSSU (Health Professions Education and Training) Health professions education and training program for strengthening the health system and services in Uganda, with partnerships between medical and nursing education institutions in Uganda and the US.
• BSSR in HIV Training Program Five-year project funded by NIH to strengthen Behavioral Social Science scientific leadership and expertise in HIV research at Makerere University.
• Makerere University Lung Institute (MLI) Research institute focused on lung health and related diseases.
• Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Institute dedicated to research, training, and care in infectious diseases.
• Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP) Joint program addressing HIV/AIDS research and interventions.
• Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre (MakBRC) Biomedical research center providing research infrastructure and support.
• International Academic Mobility Program International exchange and clinical rotation programs with partner institutions including Yale, Northwestern, Karolinska, Cambridge, and others.
• Sir Albert Cook Medical Library Medical library supporting education and research with academic resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Group Support Psychotherapy showed sustained effect on depression at 2 years with improved antiretroviral medication adherence
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research collaboration including MUJHU (Makerere University Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration), partnerships in HEPI program, and health data science training through MakDARTA program funded by NIH/Fogarty
• University of California San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through MAK-Ims (Makerere University School of Medicine Implementation Science) funded by NIH-Fogarty International Center for HIV research training and implementation science
• Yale UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through HEPI (Health Professions Education Partnership Initiative) for scaling up training of health professionals through medical and nursing education partnerships between Uganda and US institutions
• Karolinska InstitutetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ supported exchange program with over 25 years of collaboration; medical students undertake clinical rotations in Oncology, Plastic Surgery, and Vascular Surgery; celebrates 25 years of partnership in 2025
• Yale University (Exchange)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartial funding for clinical rotations abroad; 4th year medical students eligible for observational clinical placements under student exchange programs
• Northwestern UniversitymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartial funding for clinical rotations abroad; established student exchange program for 4th year medical students
• University of CambridgemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFully funded clinical rotation opportunities for medical students under academic partnership; observational clinical placements across diverse healthcare settings
• University of MinnesotamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartial funding for clinical rotations; hosting medical students at Regions Hospital and University of Minnesota Medical Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery rotations
• Des Moines UniversitymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartial funding for clinical rotations at Family Medicine Department clinic; medical students gain experience in outpatient family medicine, preventive care, chronic disease management, and osteopathic manual medicine
• Magna Graecia University of CatanzaromajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFully funded exchange program for medical students; clinical placement opportunities at Italian university hospital
• Medical University of GrazmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFully funded exchange program; medical students undertake clinical rotations at Austrian medical university
• Cattolica del Sacro CuoremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFully funded clinical rotation opportunities for 4th year medical students under established exchange program
• Chosun University College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic MoU signed February 20, 2026 for joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchanges, academic knowledge sharing, and development of innovative training programs in health sciences
• Busitema UniversityregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through HEPI program for health professions education; collaborative training of health professionals between institutions in Uganda
• Kabale UniversityregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through HEPI program for scaling up training of health professionals through partnership between medical and nursing education institutions
• Mulago School of Nursing and MidwiferyregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through HEPI initiative for interdisciplinary health professional education and training
• Clarke’s International UniversityregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in HEPI program for health professions education partnership in Uganda
• Infectious Diseases InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research and training institute under the School of Medicine focusing on infectious diseases research and public health interventions
• Makerere University Lung InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute under the School of Medicine dedicated to lung health research and respiratory disease interventions
• Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor HIV/AIDS research and intervention program under Makerere University College of Health Sciences addressing HIV prevention, care, and treatment
• Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre (MakBRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiomedical research center conducting bioethics conferences, genomics research, and hosting programs including CAfGEN and IBRH3AU for HIV and TB research

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences: Regional peer — Africa's top-ranked medical school, comparable on MBChB-equivalent program, research institutes, and international partnerships, but operating in a higher-resource South African context and serving a different geography.

Direct peers

• Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences: Direct peer — Ethiopia's flagship public medical school with parallel structure, teaching hospital, and growing research portfolio. Comparable in mission, government ownership, and African medical training context.
• University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences: Direct peer — Kenya's leading public medical school offering MBChB and graduate medical programs, with active NIH-funded research and a parallel teaching hospital model (Kenyatta National Hospital). Highly comparable on mission, scale, and East African positioning.
• Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS): Direct peer — Tanzania's primary public medical school with similar MBChB/MD programs, NIH-funded research portfolio, and teaching hospital (Muhimbili National Hospital). Comparable size and regional positioning in East Africa.
• University of Ibadan College of Medicine: Direct peer — Nigeria's oldest medical school (established 1948), with parallel public university structure, teaching hospital (University College Hospital), and pan-African medical training mandate.
• University of Ghana Medical School (College of Health Sciences): Direct peer — Ghana's premier public medical school offering undergraduate and graduate medical training with Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, comparable on West African medical training mandate and government ownership.
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medicine and Dentistry: Direct peer — Ghana's leading public medical school with comparable MBChB-equivalent training, government ownership, and active research on regional disease priorities (HIV, NCDs, malaria).

Broad incumbents

• Karolinska Institutet: Broad incumbent — Swedish medical university with 25+ year partnership with MakSOM via Erasmus+; operates at a far larger scale globally but is directly comparable on medical education, research output, and student exchange frameworks.
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: Broad incumbent — long-standing strategic partner of Makerere via MUJHU and HEPI programs; operates globally in medical education and is a benchmark for the research collaboration model Makerere aspires to scale.
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Broad incumbent — global health research and education leader that recently renewed an MoU with Makerere University. Highly comparable on tropical medicine research, global health partnerships, and graduate training mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MakCHS_SOM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/makerere-university-college-of-health-sciences-school-of-medicine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries11 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 Health Sciences School of Medicine