Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has requested a fresh inspection of its pharmacy programme by the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). The university hopes to have a decision to withdraw its professional recognition reconsidered. In a letter dated November 2, 2026, MUST Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, proposed an urgent physical meeting involving PSU Council, NCHE and university officials at MUST.
The request follows a PSU show-cause notice dated September 10, 2026, and two public notices issued on October 19 and 27 concerning the university’s Bachelor of Pharmacy programme. MUST referred to an inspection and support supervision visit conducted on April 9, 2026. The university has taken steps to address concerns raised by PSU, particularly over the leadership and staffing of its Department of Pharmacy. MUST has appointed a pharmacist as Acting Head of Department, promoted three academic staff and allocated five part-time lecturers to the programme.
MUST disclosed that it is operating at 25 per cent of its required full-time academic staffing level, a situation it says is common among public universities in Uganda. The Department of Pharmacy is relying on part-time lecturers to supplement its available staff. Three members of staff have already been promoted, including Dr Tusiimire, who was elevated to Associate Professor, and Dr Joshua Kiptoo and Dr Peter Nuwagira, who were promoted to Lecturer positions.
The university is advertising two Senior Lecturer positions and expects to complete the recruitment process by December 2026. It also expects to appoint a substantive Head of Department by that time. Dr Tusiimire, a pharmacist and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, was appointed Acting Head of Department for three months from October 19, pending the election of a substantive head in accordance with the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.
MUST maintained that all Bachelor of Pharmacy students have received 100 per cent of their scheduled training and learning opportunities under the curricula approved by NCHE. The university outlined the different curriculum cohorts, saying the final intake under the 2016 curriculum graduated this year, while students admitted under the 2023 four-year curriculum are expected to graduate in October 2027.
The first cohort under the five-year curriculum introduced in 2024 is expected to graduate in October 2029. MUST added that it had submitted a new five-year Competence-Based Education and Training curriculum to NCHE for approval. The response comes amid a disagreement between PSU and NCHE over their respective regulatory roles in pharmacy training.
PSU announced the withdrawal of recognition of MUST’s Bachelor of Pharmacy programme on October 19, citing inadequate academic staffing and the appointment of a non-pharmacist to head the department in an acting capacity. However, NCHE disputed PSU’s action, saying the MUST programme remained accredited and that the authority to recognise academic qualifications rests with the higher education regulator.
Key points
- Mbarara University seeks meeting with PSU and NCHE to reverse withdrawal of pharmacy programme recognition
- University has taken steps to address concerns raised by PSU
- Disagreement between PSU and NCHE over regulatory roles in pharmacy training
