Welcome to the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) at Makerere University.

CoCIS stands at the forefront of education, AI and technological innovation, and information management in Africa. Our College brings together disciplines spanning computing, artificial intelligence, library, and information sciences to form a vibrant ecosystem dedicated to academic excellence, impactful research, and societal benefit. Across our two schools, we connect academic excellence with a shared purpose: to expand knowledge, prepare outstanding graduates and contribute to society through research and innovation.

Our ambition builds on these strengths. We seek to distinguish CoCIS internationally through the excellence of our graduates, the impact and influence of our research, and the value our innovations bring to people’s lives.

COCIS is committed to advancing four priorities, aligned with Makerere University’s strategic direction:

1. Globally competitive graduates. Preparing graduates with deep disciplinary knowledge, practical competence and the responsible judgement to lead in a changing tech-driven world.
2. Impact-led AI, computing research and digital innovation. Advancing foundational and applied research in AI and computing to address critical societal challenges and strengthen the safety, usability, and trustworthiness of digital technologies.
3. Leadership in library and information sciences. Advancing how knowledge is organised, preserved and accessed to strengthen institutions and inform society.
4. Partnerships and technology transfer. Translating research into products, enterprises and public value through partnerships that advance Uganda’s and Africa’s digital economy.
5. A College in which people can excel. Building an inclusive  and conducive environment where staff and students have the support and resources to thrive.

Our research centres and initiatives demonstrate this purpose in practice. The Makerere University Centre for Artificial Intelligence (Mak-AI) advances AI research. The Makerere AI Health Lab brings computing and healthcare expertise together to develop AI tools for disease diagnosis and other health challenges. AirQo combines locally designed sensing technologies, AI and open data to support cleaner air and policy in African cities. Crane Cloud advances africa AI compute development for research and training. IOT-ra lab is undertaking Internet of Things research and practical applications. Across the College, we are strengthening the systems that enable such work to grow from the first research question to sustained public benefit.

To our students,  staff, researchers, funders, government and private sector, we invite you to contribute to our next chapter.

• To prospective students: Join a College that will challenge your thinking, develop your abilities and support your ambitions. Explore our programmes and the opportunities to learn, discover and create.
• To funders and philanthropic partners: Partner with us and invest in talented students, ambitious research and the facilities that enable discovery. Your support can expand access to graduate education and help promising ideas develop into lasting public benefit.
• To industry: Work with us to enrich education, create opportunities for students and translate research into products and services. Bring us your challenging problems, and join our researchers and students in developing solutions.
• To peer institutions: Partner with us in joint research, graduate supervision, academic exchanges and shared research infrastructure. Together, we can advance scholarship and open new opportunities for our academic communities.
• To government and public institutions: Collaborate with us to bring evidence and technical expertise to public policy, strengthen services and address national and regional priorities.
• To our alumni: Share your expertise, mentor our students and help connect the College to new opportunities. Your experience and continued involvement are important to our future.

I invite you to explore our work and become part of this College. To discuss how we might work together, contact the Principal’s Office at principal.cocis@mak.ac.ug.

Professor Engineer Bainomugisha
Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences
Makerere University