Universities in Uganda are on increase with dozens of both private and public universities opening up in the last 2 decades. Some of the Universities rank among the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa while others are new but fast rising gaining global recognition.
Here we rank with top 10 best Universities in Uganda according to global rankings of the most trusted University Ranker UNIRANKS that ranks Universities based on based on performance, global presence, and academic excellence.
10. Mountains of the Moon University.
Located in Fort Portal, Western Uganda, the University was founded in 2005. It is a private University known for business courses, ICT and community development programs.
Mountains of the Moon ranks as number 10 in Uganda on UNIRANKS and globally on position 7365.
9. Islamic University in Uganda
The University was founded in 1988 with the main campus in Mbale, Eastern Uganda. It is a private institution with multiple campuses and a mission to serve higher education needs across Eastern Africa.
Established on Islam foundation, the University ranks number 9 in Uganda and 7307 worldwide.
8. Uganda Christian University – UCU.
Founded in 1997 by the Church of Uganda, Anglican Communion, the University is located in Mukono, Central Uganda with various campuses and study centres countrywide.
The University ranks number 8 in Uganda and 6816 worldwide. UCU Mukono is one of the most established private universities in Uganda with a diverse academic portfolio.
7. Uganda Martyrs University.
Founded in 1993 in Nkozi, Mpigi District Central Uganda, the university is affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church and offers a wide range of undergraduate and post graduate courses.
Uganda Martyrs University ranks number 5683 worldwide according to UNIRANKS and 7th in Uganda.
6. Busitema University
Founded in 2007, in Busitema, Eastern Uganda, Busitema University is a public University offering courses in civil engineering, agriculture and science programs that are focused on regional skills development.
Busitema University ranks as number 6 in Uganda and 5581 worldwide.
5. Gulu University.
Founded in 2002 in Gulu, Northern Uganda, the University is a public University with a mission of community transformation and regional development.
Gulu University ranks 5th in the country and 5140 worldwide.
4. Kyambogo University.
Located on Kyambogo hill, Kampala Uganda, the University was founded in 2003 as a merger of three colleges Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo, the Institute of Teacher Education -Kyambogo and the Uganda National Institute of Special Education.
Kyambogo University is known for its vocational and educational programs. Ranks 4th in Uganda and 4344 worldwide.
3. Kampala International University
Founded in 2001, KIU has the main campus located in Kansanga, Kampala, Uganda. One of the top private universities in the country. It has another campus in Ishaka-Bushenyi in Western Uganda known for its medicine programs.
Kampala International University ranks at number 3 in Uganda and 3844 worldwide.
2. Mbarara University of Science and Technology -MUST
Founded in 1989, MUST is a public university located in Mbarara City, Western Uganda. The university is the leading university for medicine and applied sciences.
The Mbarara University of Science and Technology ranks as number2 in Uganda and 2967 worldwide.
1. Makerere University
The oldest and most prestigious university in Uganda, Makerere University was founded in 1922 on Makerere Hill one of the original 7 constituent hills of Kampala city. The university has courses in most disciplines in both undergraduate and post graduate.
The University is known all over Africa and is one of the most respected higher institutions of learning in Africa.
UNIRANKS ranks Makerere as the 1st University in Uganda and 988th in the whole world, while QS World University Rankings (2026) puts Makerere University in a bracket of 1000-1200 Best Universities in the World. Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 puts Makerere University in the bracket of 800-1000.
Makerere University always rank as number 1 in East Africa and among top 20 in Africa.
As seen on the list above, public universities continue to dominate the list with 5 out of 8 public universities making it to the top 6. This indicates strong public trust public universities. Private Universities however continue to establish themselves in the ranks.
