By Our Reporter | Mbale City, Uganda – A longitudinal study conducted by Makerere University Mbale Centre under the Department of Community Education has revealed that female admissions in the Administrative Law course have consistently surpassed those of male applicants over the past several years.
The study, which analyzed admission and graduation trends across Makerere University’s regional centers—including Mbale, Busia, Iganga, Soroti, Wakiso, and others—covered a period of six years, from 2019 to 2025. It focused on key academic milestones, including applications, admissions, examination attendance, and graduation.
According to the survey findings, female enrollment in the Administrative Law course has steadily increased, with women now constituting approximately 70% of all admitted and graduating students in the program by 2025.
“This shift is significant,” said Mr. Steven Masiga, Director of Makerere University Mbale Centre and lead investigator. “Between 2016 and 2019, male applicants outnumbered females. However, from 2020 onward, the trend reversed, with more women enrolling and successfully completing the course.”
Factors Behind the Shift
Students and employers interviewed for the study cited multiple reasons for the rise in female enrollment. Many said that women secure employment faster in public administration and related roles than their male counterparts, which has encouraged more female applicants to pursue short professional courses such as Administrative Law.
Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) and Human Resource Officers interviewed attributed this shift partly to gender-sensitive hiring policies in the civil service, which often favor female applicants in line with national equity and inclusion goals.
About the Survey
The research team included prominent legal scholars and practitioners such as Counsel Mabonga Hebert, His Worship David Kaye (former Chief Magistrate, Mbarara), and Mr. Julius Arinaitwe, among others.
The survey employed panel data analysis, ideal for tracking trends and mapping the variables that contributed to the increased enrollment of women in the course.
Course Structure and Impact
The Administrative Law course is a short-term certificate program, taught primarily on weekends over two months, catering to working professionals, especially those in local government roles. The course covers vital legal areas such as:
- Introduction to Law
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure
- Administrative Processes and Authorities
- Contract Law & Contract Administration
- Land Law and Family Law
- Anti-Corruption Studies and Criminology
Mr. Masiga noted that the Makerere Mbale Centre, located opposite ABSA and Centenary Banks in Mbale, was established over 60 years ago with the goal of bringing university education closer to communities outside Kampala.
“I’m happy to report that this centre has trained over 60% of public servants in Eastern Uganda, including Parish Chiefs, District Education Officers, Headteachers, and District Inspectors of Schools,” he said. “In fact, 40% of all Parish Chiefs, CDOs, and Sub-County Chiefs in our region have some training in Administrative Law from our centre.”
He added that Makerere University’s upcountry centres have played a transformative role in decentralizing education and supporting national development goals, calling for more support from government and stakeholders.
