Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Teach undergraduate and, if offered, graduate courses in the area of specialization. Assist with curriculum development, supervise undergraduate and graduate students. Collaborate with faculty on research and conduct research in the area of specialization. Grantees should plan on a 50:50 ratio of time spent on teaching to research. This can be adjusted depending on the needs of the host institution.
Applicants can also propose to work on a specific project that is of mutual benefit to the host institution and the Scholar. Professional projects are not required to include a teaching component, and are sought particularly in creative and the fine arts, and in technology and innovation.
Applicants can propose any credible Ugandan institutions, including universities, research centers, think-tanks, museums, galleries (creative/fine arts-based projects), conservatoriums (music/composition-based projects), relevant professional and non-profit institutions, or other institutions of research and/or higher education as a host institution.
The following universities have expressed interest in hosting scholars. Please look under "Additional Comments" for institution contacts.
Please contact kampalaexchanges@state.gov for review of other proposed host institutions not listed above.
The academic year generally runs from August - May. Grant dates will vary according to dates agreed on by scholar and host. Grants can be either six or 10 months. The earliest grant start date will be late-July.
Applications are sought in all disciplines. Please see below (under Special Features) for areas of interest at specific Ugandan universities.
Makerere University: Makerere University is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning. Today, Makerere University is composed of nine colleges and one school offering programmes for about 36,000 undergraduates and 4,000 postgraduates. They are particularly interested in hosting scholars in these fields: Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering.
Uganda Martyrs University: Provides a holistic education for its students which is also skills-based. The university provides housing for scholars.
Uganda Christian University: An institution that stands for Christian values and hard work. University provides housing for scholars. They are particularly interested in the following disciplines: Research and management of higher degrees, civil and environmental engineering, education and information technology.
Islamic Univerisity in Uganda: The main objective of the university is to serve the higher education needs of the English-speaking Muslim community in southern and eastern Africa.
Mbarara University: Mbarara University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Mbarara. It was founded to address the shortage of scientists and to instill a sense of community service in its students. The university offers housing to visiting scholars.
Soroti University: Soroti University is a new public university with a main campus located in Arapai. They are conscious of wanting to start out right and avoid making mistakes other institutions have passed through by learning from the advice and skills of experienced academics.
Kyambogo University: One Uganda’s largest public universities established in 2003 from the merger of the former Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK), the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (ITEK), and the Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE). They are very interested in the following disciplines: American Literature, Creative Writing, Creative non-fiction, Digital Story telling, Rhetoric and Composition; Performing Arts (Music improvisation, jazz, world music, music technology, music composition, music analysis); Social Work and family, Archaeology, History and Development Studies.
Lira University: This relatively new institution, was established on a niche of training students in the Health Sciences. It has the first university teaching hospital in Uganda. Both Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellors are Fulbright alumni. They are particularly interested in hosting Scholars in the field of nursing.
University of Kisubi: A Catholic-founded co-educational private university
Kabale University: Kabale University was transformed from a private university to a public university in 2015. Located in a district near Rwanda. The current Vice-Chancellor is a Fulbright alumna.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
A letter from the faculty contact, university administration or organization is preferred and highly encouraged.
All teaching will be in English; proficiency in another language is not required.
Scholars with a PhD or other terminal degree and at least two years of postdoctoral college or university teaching experience are generally preferred by universities in Uganda. The following universities have provided their preferences for Scholar qualifications:
Applicants to institutions/organizations other than universities are not required to have a PhD or terminal degree, but must have significant professional experience in their discipline.
Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent designated by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents. A $2,550 allowance will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage.
$1,000 books and educational materials allowance; if possible, educational materials should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure. (For Teaching and Teaching/Research awards)
Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $400/month to $600/month.
In addition, round-trip, economy class travel is provided for up to two dependents.
Dependent education allowance of up to $12,500 per child or $25,000 per family for accompanying dependents in grades K-12 is reimbursed for a full academic year, upon submission of receipts, and depending on funding availability. Amount may be adjusted for shorter grant periods. Reimbursement is based on actual cost of tuition and fees only.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
When university housing is provided to Fulbright Scholars, grantees will receive a supplemental housing allowance in lieu of a full housing allowance for refurbishments, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses that arise. The full housing allowance will not be provided to grantees if they elect to decline on-campus or university housing.
Please refer to the figures above for an estimate of total monthly Fulbright award benefits. Benefits may include a monthly base stipend, living and housing allowances, and additional one-time allowances. Benefits may vary based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent), the city of placement, the type of award (teaching, teaching/research, or research), and the number of and duration of stay of accompanying dependents. Research-only or Professional Project grantees receive a standard stipend that is not adjusted for academic rank. In most cases, dependent benefits will not be provided to Flex grantees, or to grantees pursuing grants less than four months (or a semester) in length.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
The Republic of Uganda, roughly the size of Oregon and with an estimated population of 41 million, lies along the equator and is located in the center of the African continent. The country is divided into three principal geographic areas: a fertile plateau, lowland swamps, and a semi-desert region. The capital is centrally located in Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria, which forms part of the southern border. English is the official language.
President Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986, after decades of internal strife, and was most recently re-elected in 2021 to another five-year term. Under Museveni, Uganda has experienced relative political stability and economic growth. However, Uganda faces numerous challenges that could affect future stability, including explosive population growth, power and infrastructure constraints, corruption, underdeveloped democratic institutions, and an increase in human rights abuses.
The NRM government has increasingly restricted civil society activity, freedom of expression and association, political competition, and the media. Economic and political pressures on the government to create jobs and allow for fair political competition have led to violent political unrest in recent years. Uganda's exponential population growth and high poverty rates continue to strain government services, particularly in the education and health sectors.
Uganda is ethnically very diverse, with over fifty-six different ethnic groups and more than forty languages, most of which fall into three major language families - Bantu, Nilotic, and Central Sudanic.
Uganda has long been a regional partner with the United States in East Africa and largely shares U.S. interests in combatting terrorism and promoting stability. Uganda is host to 1.4 million refugees - the world's 3rd largest refugee population - and the leading troop contributor nation to the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM). It is a global hotspot for emerging infectious diseases working closely with U.S. government partners to detect and respond to potential global health security threats. The U.S. mission is engaged in activities and programs that promote economic growth and employability for 80% of Uganda's population who are under 35, improving health and education, upholding democratic values, strengthening security, technology and innovation, the environment and creative arts.
Uganda has several established universities. However, the U.S. embassy is committed to contributing to the growth of the newer and less established universities, which have a number of short- and long-term challenges. The U.S. Embassy is dedicated to improving the quality of instruction and delivery at these institutions, while at that same time, helping to build long-term collaborations between Ugandan and U.S. universities. Academic semesters normally run from August through December, and January through May or June. Ugandan universities currently face a shortage of qualified and experienced faculty to help teach and develop the programs they currently offer. We are also interested in strengthening activities in other institutions along our strategic areas outside of academia.
The U.S. Mission in Uganda provides overall oversight of this small but robust program in the country. We offer airport pick-up on initial arrival. We make it a point to involve our Fulbrighters in our American Center programs where relevant.
Housing - It is recommended that grantees contact or work along their host institutions for best possible local housing options. We advise grantees not to book and pay for accommodation while not in country. Information can also be found here: Lamudi Uganda http://www.lamudi.co.ug , Properties to rent and for let in Uganda | Knight Frank and AirBnB.
Most school-aged U.S. Mission or expatriate children attend one of three schools: The International School of Uganda (ISU) - www.isu.ac.ug, the Kampala International School (KISU) - KISU – Educating Today's Children for Tomorrow's World, or Ambrosoli - www.ambrosolischool.com. There are other options depending on the ages of the children: The French School, Acorns, Heritage and Kissyfur.
Medical health care - Leading facilities in Kampala include - Mulago National Referral Hospital - Mulago National Referral Hospital | Life is Precious (mulagohospital.go.ug), Victoria Hospital - UMC Victoria Hospital (umchospitals.com), , The Surgery - The Surgery Uganda – Health Facility, Nakasero Hospital - Nakasero Hospital – Quality Care With Compassion, St.Francis Nsambya Hospital - St. Francis Hospital Nsambya – Love & Serve (nsambyahospital.or.ug), and International Hospital Kampala among others.
Fulbright grantees have health care benefits under the Department of State Group Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE). ASPE is a health benefits program; it is not an all purpose health insurance, and it is subject to limitations. Grantees should review their ASPE benefits closely prior to arrival. Traveler's medical insurance, particularly emergency evacuation coverage is strongly recommended, especially for grantees based outside the capital city. The Fulbright grant provides limited medical and medical evacuation (medevac) coverage for the grantee only.
Please refer to the Fulbright Directory for background information on previous Fulbright receipients.
Paul Robinson; William Kisaalita; Priscilla Ocen; Eileen Haase; Thomas Graham; Samson Jarso; Ladavia Just, Micheal Bermudez, Crystal Murphy, Dorit Steit, Oscar Kemp, Byron Vaughn, Judy Shepherd, Roger Klomegah, Jonathan Marino, Kenneth Butler.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
The U.S. embassy in Kampala is committed to enhancing the educational capacity of Uganda's relatively newer public and private universities in addition to cultural institutions. Candidates are encouraged to correspond directly with potential host departments to determine interest. Contacts listed below as needed.