Makerere University has introduced supplementary examinations for final-year students who have a small number of retakes, allowing eligible students to clear their remaining courses without waiting for another academic year.
The examinations are intended to help students who are close to completing their undergraduate programmes but have failed one or two courses required for graduation.
According to Proscovia Nakayiki, the Acting Academic Registrar of Makerere University, the supplementary examinations are specifically for final-year students with one or two retakes.
A student who has failed more than two courses does not qualify for the supplementary examinations under the current arrangement.
The initiative means that a final-year student who passes the supplementary examination can clear the outstanding course or courses and proceed to graduation instead of waiting for the next academic year to sit for another examination.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabus Nawangwe said the decision followed concerns from students who were facing delays in completing their degrees because of only one or two outstanding courses.
The matter was presented to the university council, which endorsed the introduction of supplementary examinations.
“Council endorsed the issue of supplementary examinations, and we have started giving these supplementary examinations,” Nawangwe said.
However, Nawangwe clarified that the broader policy governing supplementary examinations has not yet received full approval from the university council. The council has nevertheless endorsed the introduction of the examinations, allowing the university to start implementing the arrangement.
Students sitting supplementary examinations are required to pay the applicable university fees.
Nakayiki said these include a re-examination fee of Shs20,000, as well as other university charges, including functional fees, including library fees, of Shs26,450, a registration fee of Shs132,250 and tuition fees, depending on the student’s programme and course.
The university calculates the applicable fees automatically through its system.
The supplementary examinations started on 7 September 2026 and will run until 25 September 2026.
Students who meet the eligibility requirements are therefore expected to complete the examinations within this period.
Previously, a final-year student who failed a course could be required to wait for another academic year before getting another opportunity to sit the examination.
Under the new arrangement, students who have only one or two courses to clear can take supplementary examinations during the current examination period.
If they pass the outstanding courses and meet all other graduation requirements, they can complete their programmes without having to wait another academic year.
The arrangement currently applies specifically to final-year students and does not automatically extend the same opportunity to students in earlier years of study.