The government has officially released the cutoff points for university sponsorship, determining which students qualify for government-funded degree programs. With 92,273 students qualifying for university admission this year, competition remains high, particularly for sought-after courses like medicine, engineering, and law.
A total of 54,338 students (58.9%) secured three principal passes, increasing their chances of admission under government sponsorship. However, 37,935 students who attained only two principal passes may struggle to secure spots in top universities.
Despite an increase of 11,457 students qualifying for university this year, Makerere University—the country’s largest public institution—will maintain its previous admission numbers. This means the cutoff points for government sponsorship are expected to be highly competitive.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere University’s vice-chancellor, confirmed: “We will admit the same number of undergraduate students this year as we did in 2024.” He also highlighted Makerere’s shift towards graduate training as part of its strategic vision to become a research-led university.
Meanwhile, Charles Ssentongo, the deputy academic registrar for undergraduate admissions, noted that Makerere enrolls approximately 10,000 undergraduates annually. With limited slots available, only students who meet the strict cutoff points will secure government sponsorship.
Here is a well-organized version of the cut-off points for government sponsorship at public universities for the 2024/25 academic year:
Government Cut-off Points for Public Universities (National Merit) 2024/25
Busitema University
- B. Agricultural Mechanisation & Irrigation Engineering – 47.2 (M), 42.7 (F)
- B. Scie. Agro-Processing Engineering – 48.6 (M), 44.2 (F)
- B. Animal Production & Management – 43.6 (M), 42.1 (F)
- B. Computer Engineering – 49.4 (M), 47.8 (F)
- B. Scie. Anaesthesia – 46.9 (M), 48.1 (F)
- B. Scie. Nursing – 46.8 (M), 45.3 (F)
- B. Tourism & Travel Management – 51.2 (M), 53.7 (F)
- Diploma in Agricultural Engineering – 34.3
- Diploma in Ginning & Industrial Engineering – 34.3 (M), 34.9 (F)
- B. Scie. Electrical Engineering – 52.1 (M), 47.5 (F)
- B. Scie. Fisheries & Water Resource Management – 42.1 (M), 42.6 (F)
- B. Scie. Mining Engineering – 43.4
- B. Medicine & B. Surgery – 46.9 (M), 47.6 (F)
- B. Scie. Natural Resource Economics – 44.7 (M), 46.7 (F)
- B. Scie. Agriculture – 43.5 (M), 43.3 (F)
- B. Scie. Computer Science – 48.4 (M), 47.5 (F)
- B. Scie. Polymer, Textile & Industrial Engineering – 44.6
- B. Scie. Water Resources Engineering – 49.1 (M), 47.3 (F)
Gulu University
- B. Business Administration – 44.5 (M), 47.5 (F)
- B. Scie. Education – Biological – 45.7
- B. Scie. Computer Science – 46.3
- B. Development Management – 45.5
- B. Scie. Food Science & Agribusiness – 45.1
- B. Information & Communication Technology – 51.7 (M), 53.1 (F)
Kabale University
- B. Civil Engineering – 50.8
- B. Computer Science – 42.3
- B. Applied Design & Fine Art – 48.5
- B. Scie. Education – Biological – 45.1
- B. Scie. Education – Physical – 45.1
- B. Electrical Engineering – 49.8
- B. Mechanical Engineering – 49.5
- B. Information Technology – 44.8
Kyambogo University
- B. Scie. Accounting & Finance – 45.5
- B. Voc. Studies in Agric with Education – 43.6
- B. Art & Industrial Design – 45.3
- B. Engineering in Automotive & Power Engineering – 49.3
- B. Architecture – 51.2
- B. Administrative Science – 47.5
- B. Business Administration – 45.7
- B. Economics & Statistics – 45.0
- B. Guidance & Counselling – 45.5
Muni University
- B. Scie. Agriculture – 43.4
- B. Scie. Education (Physical Education) – 33.9
- B. Scie. Environment & Natural Resources – 45.5
- B. Information Systems – 45.3
- B. Information Technology – 40.8
- B. Nursing Science – 44.8
- B. Scie. Education – Agriculture – 40.7
- B. Scie. Education – Biological – 40.7
- B. Scie. Education – Computer Studies – 43.8
- B. Scie. Education – Physical – 42.1
Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST)
- B. Medicine & B. Surgery – 48.6 (M), 46.3 (F)
- B. Scie. Nursing – 47.0
- B. Pharmacy – 47.3
- B. Scie. Education – Biological – 44.5
- B. Scie. Education – Physical – 44.5
- B. Scie. Electrical & Electronics Engineering – 48.6
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy – 46.9
- B. Scie. Accounting, Finance & Computing – 47.0
- B. Medical Laboratory Sciences – 46.9
