This includes papers, reports and publications from individuals, private and official organizations dating ranging from the 19th century to current day.

Examples include copies of the first newspapers and photographs from Uganda, church files, UN publications and diaries and journal entries form explorers, travelers, missionaries, military and political figures.

Considered the primary depository and research center for East African history, it also includes a music and photographic collection of great historic and cultural significance.

Originating in 1990, the book bank houses copies of textbooks and classroom materials collected from academic departments throughout the university's history.

It ensures that students have access to textbooks despite limited funds, allows sharing between departments and keeps a record of curricular materials.

[9] Named for the International Development Agency which donated the core collection, it includes reference materials and textbooks for undergraduate use.

According to Elly Amani Gamukama, the systems administrator at the main library, "the university has made it a policy that every first year student must go through a computer course.

Starting next year, all students will undergo training in the use of the available databases and other library resources that will be compulsory and carrying credit".

The project goal was to "make significant contribution to equitable improvement of the academic standards of Makerere University, with a priority to science-based and gender disciplines".

The implementation of an Electronic Document Delivery Service, Science Citation Index and book safety system resulted from the grant.

The project is ongoing and received an additional $400K grant in 2004 to develop an automation process beginning with the main library.

[11] The Department for Research Cooperation at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency provided the library with almost $1 million to build ICT structure, create a PHD program for library staff, increase training and purchase subscriptions to electronic journals and licenses.

The project also includes digitizing photographs and scanning archival material to make the rare collection more accessible.

Makerere University is an institutional repository which collects, organizes and allows retrieval of scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports in an electronic format.