As the oldest and premier public university in Uganda, Makerere University has partnered with the Government of Uganda, mainly through the line Ministries and other autonomous/semi-autonomous agencies. Makerere has become the leading trainer of Human Resources for the Government of Uganda as evidenced by the large number of her Alumni, serving in the Judiciary, Legislature and Cabinet arms of government.

Additionally, as a result of some of these partnerships, Makerere University is home to a number of unique centres of national interest such as;