Makerere ordered to pay Shs 1.7 billion PUJAB fees owed to other public universities

What the report says

Makerere University has been directed to pay more than Shs 1.7 billion in application fees owed to other public universities through the Public Universities Joint Admissions Board (PUJAB) system, following a parliamentary review of audit findings. The order was issued by Patrick Nsamba Oshabe, chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Central Government, after officials were questioned about money the Auditor General says Makerere retained for years.

According to the report cited by The Observer, Makerere collected Shs 3.030 billion in PUJAB application fees in the 2024/2025 financial year but treated the full amount as its own revenue, even though Shs 1.711 billion belonged to partner institutions. The largest shares mentioned include Kyambogo University, Makerere University Business School, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Busitema University and several others. The audit also said the university’s handling of the funds overstated its income.

Makerere officials told the committee that payments had traditionally been made through the university, but the process changed when applicants began paying via the Uganda Revenue Authority. The university’s bursar said some payments had already been made and that the institution was budgeting for the obligation, while the university secretary said Makerere would reconcile the amounts and settle the debt. The committee, however, pressed for immediate remittance and asked the Auditor General to monitor compliance. The issue matters because it affects funding due to several public universities and highlights weaknesses in how shared admission revenues are managed.