Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is one of Uganda’s leading public universities and a key center for science, technology, and medical education. Founded in 1989, the university was created to address Uganda’s shortage of scientists and to nurture graduates with a strong sense of community service. It is accredited by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (UNCHE) and is one of the ten public universities in Uganda.
MUST has grown into a multidisciplinary institution with six faculties, two institutes, and a teaching hospital that provides hands-on medical training.
Motto: Succeed We Must
Type: Public University
Established: 1989 (36 years ago)
Chancellor: Prof. Charles Mark Lwanga Olweny
Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Pauline Byakika
Administrative Staff: 300+ (2018)
Students: 5,000 (2024; approx. 6,043 undergraduates, 1,325 postgraduates, and nearly 20,000 alumni by 2023)
Location: Mbarara, Uganda
Coordinates: 0.616944°S, 30.506667°E
Campus: Urban (Mbarara Town) & Suburban (Kihumuro)
Website: www.must.ac.ug
Campuses
1. Mbarara Campus
- Located in the heart of Mbarara town, along the Mbarara–Kabale Highway.
- Houses the College of Health Sciences, including the Faculty of Medicine.
- Adjacent to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, the main teaching hospital.
2. Kihumuro Campus
- Located about 7 km west of Mbarara’s central business district, along the Mbarara–Bushenyi Road.
- Spans 139 hectares (340 acres).
- Will eventually host all faculties and institutes, except the College of Health Sciences.
- Construction is supported by a US$12 million loan from the African Development Bank and government investment.
History
- 1989: University founded to strengthen Uganda’s human capital in science and technology.
- 1990s–2000s: Rapid growth in medicine, nursing, and applied sciences.
- 2000s onward: Expanded into engineering, ICT, business, and interdisciplinary studies while retaining its strong science and technology foundation.
Faculties and Institutes
Faculties
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology
- Faculty of Computing and Informatics
- Faculty of Business and Management Sciences
- Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies
Institutes
- Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation
- Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Institute
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Degrees
- Health Sciences: Medicine & Surgery, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Engineering
- Technology & Engineering: Petroleum Engineering & Environmental Management, Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering
- Sciences: Computer Science, Information Technology, General Sciences
- Business & Social Sciences: Business Administration, Education, Petroleum & Environmental Studies
Master’s Programs
- Medicine (General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pathology, etc.)
- Master of Public Health, Master of Nursing Science
- MSc in Biochemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Anesthesiology, Business Informatics, Health IT
- MA in Local Governance, Education, Curriculum & Media Studies
Doctorates (PhD)
- PhDs in Development Studies, Education, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Computing
University Teaching Hospital
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (600-bed facility) is the university’s teaching hospital.
- Serves multiple districts in western Uganda, including Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Ibanda, Isingiro, Buhweju, Rubirizi, and Kiruhura.
- Provides clinical training for medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and biomedical engineering students.
Governance
MUST is administered through three main bodies:
- University Council – Supreme organ overseeing administration and policy.
- University Senate – Governs academic affairs.
- Top Management – Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University Secretary, Registrar, and Deans.
Growth and Impact
- Over 19,969 alumni as of 2023.
- Pioneer in community-oriented medical education in Uganda.
- Plays a vital role in healthcare training, scientific research, and applied technology innovation.
