It is bordered by Bwaise to the north, Mulago to the east, Wandegeya and Nakasero to the southeast, Old Kampala to the south, Naakulabye to the southwest.

Kasubi and Kawaala lie to the west of Makerere.

This location lies approximately 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi), by road, north of Kampala's central business district.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the university had nine Halls of Residence, six for men and three for women.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, as the university intake and student population grew from about 5,000 to over 40,000, private hostels grew up all around the hill, outside the university compound, to accommodate the new student influx.