College of Humanities and Social Sciences

What College of Humanities and Social Sciences does

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) is a constituent college of Makerere University, Uganda's oldest and most prestigious university, founded in 1922 as a technical school with 14 day students and restructured into its current 10-college configuration in 2011. CHUSS offers undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across humanities and social sciences disciplines — including literature, languages, history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, religious studies, and performing arts — serving primarily Ugandan domestic students via government sponsorship, district quota, and private pathways, alongside 800+ international students from 55 countries. The college operates through research institutes including the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) and the Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC), and participates institution-wide in longitudinal and applied research — most notably the Rakai Community Cohort Study (since 1987) and the Centre for Research in Transportation Technologies (CRTT), which produced the Kiira EV and Kayoola Electric Bus.

CHUSS operates as part of a non-profit, publicly funded institution. Revenue is generated through tuition and academic fees from government-sponsored, private-sponsored, and international students; the Government of Uganda's Research and Innovations Fund (UGX 30 billion / ~US$8.1 million in FY2019/2020); bilateral development-partner grants (Sida/SAREC, NORAD, Carnegie Corporation, World Bank); and 1% internally generated faculty income. Go-to-market combines a centralized online application portal (apply.mak.ac.ug) and the Academic Registrar for domestic admissions with the Advancement & International Office for international recruitment, supplemented by community-led outreach via school guidance counselors, education fairs, alumni networks, and regional university forums such as RUFORUM. Tuition fee structures are not publicly disclosed; the institution is anchored by deep research and funding relationships with Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Oxford, Cornell, MIT, Karolinska, and multiple CGIAR centres, as well as funders including PEPFAR, NIH, the Gates Foundation, and CDC.

Name

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Legal name

Makerere University

Website

https://mak.ac.ug

Company type

Public

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CHUSS is a constituent college of Makerere University (Uganda) offering undergraduate and graduate programmes in humanities and social sciences, serving primarily domestic Ugandan students alongside an international cohort from 55 countries, and funded through tuition, government research grants, and development partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAGABAE

Humanities (History, Philosophy, Literature, Languages)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Higher Education Textbooks & Courseware

SECONDARYEDADALAJ

STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

Keywords

• Higher education programs
• Humanities social sciences
• Academic degree programs
• University research centers
• Liberal arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue from tuition fees charged to students across undergraduate and graduate programs, including government-sponsored, private-sponsored, and international students.
2. Government Research and Innovations Fund (RIF): Makerere University receives special funding from the Government of Uganda under the Research and Innovations Fund. In FY 2019/2020, this amounted to UGX 30 billion (approximately US$8.1 million) to support high-impact research and innovations addressing national development priorities.
3. Development Partner Grants: Bilateral funding from international development partners including Sida/SAREC (Sweden), Carnegie Corporation of New York, NORAD (Norway), and others for research capacity building and specific project implementation.
4. University Internally Generated Funds: The university contributes 1% of its income through internally generated funds from faculties. Graduate and undergraduate student contributions also support research activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHUSS provides undergraduate and graduate academic degree programmes in humanities and social sciences disciplines, including literature, languages, history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, religious studies, and performing arts. The college also operates research institutes and centres such as MISR and PILAC that conduct scholarly research and contribute to the generation of knowledge to address development priorities in Uganda and the region.

Product overview

Makerere University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) offers higher education programs across humanities and social sciences disciplines. With over 143 programs available across 10 colleges including CHUSS, the college provides undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs. The college supports research through specialized institutes and centers including the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) and Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC), contributing to the university's mission of generating knowledge to improve livelihoods locally and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Programs (Undergraduate and Graduate) Undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across humanities and social sciences disciplines, including literature, languages, history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, religious studies, and performing arts, delivered to prospective and current students at Makerere University's main campus in Kampala.
• Research Institutes and Centers Specialized research institutes and centres under CHUSS, including the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) and Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC), that conduct scholarly research in the humanities and social sciences and engage with government, civil society, and academic partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 143 programmes/courses offered across 10 colleges, providing diverse educational pathways for students.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

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

• RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRUFORUM initiated the regional PhD and MSc programme in plant breeding at Makerere in 2008, which led to the establishment of MaRCCI. Also facilitates student recruitment and regional academic collaboration.
• Johns Hopkins University (JHU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research collaboration established in 1987 with Rakai Health Sciences Program. JHU researchers including Prof. Maria Wawer and Prof. Ronald Gray partnered with Makerere on HIV/AIDS and epidemiological research. Also operates Makerere University Johns Hopkins University (MUJHU) Research Collaboration as a formal centre.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Rakai Health Sciences Program in 1987 alongside Makerere and Johns Hopkins. Contributed to initial clinical studies characterizing AIDS epidemiology in Rakai district.
• University of OxfordmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partner of Rakai Health Sciences Program, collaborating on HIV prevention, treatment, and epidemiological studies.
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner of Rakai Health Sciences Program contributing expertise in public health, epidemiology, and infectious disease research.
• Cornell UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner of Rakai Health Sciences Program, collaborating on HIV/AIDS and health systems research.
• Karolinska InstitutetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish university partner of Rakai Health Sciences Program, contributing to research capacity and collaborative studies.
• University of TorontomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian research partner collaborating with Rakai Health Sciences Program on HIV and health research.
• Western University (Canada)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian university partner of Rakai Health Sciences Program, participating in collaborative health research.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT led the Vehicle Design Summit (VDS) 2008 where Makerere University was the only African team, developing the Power Train and In-Vehicle Communication Network for the Vision 200 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
• Total E&P UgandaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTotal E&P Uganda agreed to develop collaboration with MIT in training young engineering PhD holders in learner-centred pedagogy. Partnership involves potential sponsorship of CEDAT staff for courses in occupational health and safety.
• Tullow OilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTullow Oil discussed collaboration opportunities with CEDAT in developing courses in occupational health and safety, offering to sponsor staff training and support course development.
• Seonyang Company (Samsung subsidiary)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned MoU with CEDAT for collaboration in infrastructure development. Seonyang is a subsidiary of Samsung of Korea.
• BOKU University (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-decade partnership with Makerere's Department of Zoology, Entomology & Fisheries Sciences. Discussing new collaboration strategies in 2026 for research and academic exchange.
• Government of UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner providing core funding through Research and Innovations Fund (UGX 30 billion in FY 2019/2020), student sponsorship schemes, and policy support for higher education.
• Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner of Rakai Health Sciences Program collaborating on viral research, HIV studies, and infectious disease surveillance.
• National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUganda's principal agricultural research organization collaborating with Makerere on crop improvement, livestock research, and agricultural innovation.
• Vehicle Design Summit (VDS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational student-led consortium aimed at leapfrogging sustainable transportation technologies. Makerere participated as the only African team in 2008, developing components for the Vision 200 vehicle.
• Iowa State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of MaRCCI contributing to plant breeding and agricultural research capacity building.
• Purdue UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI partner supporting crop improvement research and graduate training in plant breeding.
• University of California, RiversidemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of MaRCCI, specifically involved in Cowpea Genomics research.
• ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI international research partner supporting crop improvement and food security research in dryland regions.
• IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI partner contributing to tropical agriculture research and crop improvement programmes.
• IRRI (International Rice Research Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI partner supporting rice research and breeding programmes.
• AGRA (Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI partner supporting Africa's green revolution through improved seeds and agricultural development.
• CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI partner providing expertise in maize and wheat improvement research.
• CIP (International Potato Center)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI partner supporting root and tuber crop research.
• AfricaRicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaRCCI partner contributing to rice research and development in Africa.
• WACCI (West African Centre for Crop Improvement)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWACCI is an African Centre of Excellence for Crop Improvement, collaborating with MaRCCI on shared training and research initiatives.
• Mak-Sweden Research CooperationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSida/SAREC supported programme aimed at increasing Makerere's capacity to generate knowledge and promote research uptake. Focuses on training to Masters and PhD levels, postdoctoral research, and strengthening partnerships with Swedish and regional institutions.
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWits University established a residency programme for young African academics. Makerere staff are eligible to apply for 6-month residencies structured over 3 years to develop research trajectories.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Cape Town - Faculty of Humanities: UCT's Faculty of Humanities is one of Africa's leading humanities and social sciences faculties, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in similar disciplines (history, philosophy, sociology, languages) and serving as a comparable pan-African research-intensive institution.
• University of the Witwatersrand - Faculty of Humanities: Wits' Faculty of Humanities offers a comparable range of humanities and social science degree programs and is an active partner of Makerere through its African academic residency programme, making it a directly comparable peer in scale and mission.
• University of Nairobi - Faculty of Arts: UoN's Faculty of Arts offers humanities and social science undergraduate and graduate programs comparable in scope to CHUSS, operating within a major public research university in East Africa.
• University of Dar es Salaam - College of Humanities and Social Sciences: UDSM's College of Humanities and Social Sciences is a near-name-alike peer institution delivering humanities and social science education across East Africa with similar public university structure and donor-funded research base.
• Addis Ababa University - College of Humanities and Social Sciences: AAU's College of Humanities, Language Studies, Journalism and Communication delivers comparable humanities and social science programs in a public East African university setting, serving as a regional peer with similar mission and constraints.
• Stellenbosch University - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: Stellenbosch's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is a comparable humanities and social sciences faculty at a research-intensive African public university with strong international research partnerships.
• University of Ghana - College of Humanities: The University of Ghana's College of Humanities delivers humanities and social science degree programs in a comparable West African public university setting, serving a similar regional student base.

Emerging players

• African Leadership University: ALU is a private, pan-African higher education provider targeting similar international student segments with humanities and social science offerings, representing a private-sector emerging alternative to public institutions like CHUSS.
• Ashesi University: Ashesi is a private Ghanaian university offering liberal arts and humanities programs within an African context, competing for the same fee-paying international student demographic that CHUSS targets through its 55-country international recruitment.

Broad incumbents

• University of Ibadan - Faculty of Arts: One of Africa's oldest universities, Ibadan's Faculty of Arts is a heritage peer institution in West Africa offering humanities programs at scale within a larger, broader university structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Makerere
• YouTubeyoutube.com/Makerere
• Facebookfacebook.com/Makerere
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/makerere
• Instagraminstagram.com/Makerere

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about College of Humanities and Social Sciences