PRESS RELEASE CLARIFICATION: WITHDRAW OF RECOGNITION OF THE BACHELOR OF PHARMACY (BPHARM) PROGRAM AT MBARARA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MUST) 1. We make reference to a Public Notice from the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, claiming withdrawal of the recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy Program at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. 2. The National Council for Higher Education is mandated under Section 4d (ii) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act Cap. 262, to ‘receive, consider and process applications for accreditation of academic and professional programmes of higher education institutions, in consultation with professional associations and regulatory bodies.’ 3. The National Council for Higher Education is further mandated under Section 4(f) of the Act to “receive and investigate complaints relating to institutions of higher education and take appropriate action.” 4. The mandate of recognition of academic qualifications rests with the National Council for Higher Education, as mandated under Section 4(i) of the Act. Given the above statutory provisions, National Council for Higher Education would like to clarify as follows: 1. The Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology was first accredited by the National Council for Higher Education in 2010. Since then, the programme has received multiple re-accreditations. The most recent re-accreditation was granted on 30th January 2025, for the programme to run up to 2036. All the re-accreditations have been granted in consultation with the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, as required under Section 4d (ii) of the Act. 2. The National Council for Higher Education was neither involved nor consulted in the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda’s unilateral decision to withdraw its recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. 3. Withdrawalof recognition of qualifications of graduates of a given programme or academic institution is the preserve of the National Council for Higher Education. 4. Mbarara University had an Associate Professor of Pharmacy heading the Department of Pharmacy until July 2026 when he resigned to join another academic institution on promotion to full Professor. The University temporarily engaged a Senior Lecturer, with a nursing background but holding a PhD in Pharmacology from Ghent University in Belgium, to head the Department. The current Acting Head of Department of the Pharmacy Department is a Pharmacist who also serves as the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda. 5. National Council for Higher Education categorically states that: a) The Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology is fully accredited. b) The accreditation has not been withdrawn by the National Council for Higher Education. c) The teaching and learning of the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology should continue. 6. The National Council for Higher Education remains open to receiving and investigating complaints related to higher education institutions in Uganda. unche.or.ug/clarification-wi…

NCHE launches the Strategic plan(2025/6-2029/30), service delivery standards and client charter on 27th August 2026. These documents provide an integrated framework for transforming NCHE from regulation centered mainly on compliance to regulation that is also responsive, predictable, transparent and client-centered.

Inter-University Council for East Africa(IUCEA) invites suitably qualified nationals of the East African Community (EAC) to apply for cohort 4 of the KfW- funded Scholarships to pursue Master’s studies in the EAC partner States. Find the detailed call for applications here: unche.or.ug/eac-scholarship-…

PUBLIC NOTICE: We are currently validating and updating the institution and programme information on the NCHE website. The verified lists will be uploaded by 31st July 2026. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to ensure that all information provided is accurate, complete, and up to date. For inquiries, please reach us directly via the contacts provided here: unche.or.ug/contact-us/

NCHE Holds Capacity Building Workshop on Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) for Professional Bodies The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) convened a one-day capacity building workshop for professional bodies on Competence Based Education and Training (CBET) on 30th June 2026. While opening the workshop, the Executive Director of NCHE, Prof. Mary J. N. Okwakol, noted that the engagement came at a critical time when higher education systems globally were undergoing significant transformation. She emphasized the increasing demand for graduates who not only possess theoretical knowledge but can also demonstrate practical competences, adaptability, and innovation in real world settings. Prof. Okwakol highlighted that NCHE developed the CBET guidelines in response to a Ministerial directive requiring all higher education institutions to align their academic programmes to CBET by the academic year 2027/2028. She further noted that this initiative is in line with Section 4(d)(ii) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Cap 262, which mandates NCHE to consult professional bodies during the consideration of programmes for accreditation. She informed participants that the purpose of the workshop was to present a template on CBET standards that integrates key components of quality programme design. The template was also intended to promote strong engagement with professional bodies, whose constructive feedback would be instrumental in refining and enriching the framework. Prof. Okwakol reaffirmed NCHE’s commitment to promoting excellence, quality assurance, and continuous improvement in higher education. The workshop attracted representatives from various professional bodies, including: i. Architects Registration Board ii. Engineers Registration Board iii. Law Council iv. Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda v. Surveyors Registration Board vi. Uganda Allied Health Professionals Council vii. Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council viii. Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council ix. Uganda Veterinary Council

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), in collaboration with the National Curriculum Development Centre (@NCDCUg ), convened a consultative meeting with Vice Chancellors of universities to discuss the proposed Upper Secondary Curriculum. 📅 Date: 18th June 2026

NCHE invites bids from eligible bidders. Please find more information here: unche.or.ug/bid-notice-under…

NCHE Leaders Conclude a Two-Day Master Class Skills Training at Hotel Africana from 18th-19th May 2026.

Congratulations!

On 4th May 2026, NCHE hosted a Zimbabwe benchmarking delegation led by FAWEZI in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, to gain practical insights into the implementation of the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) in Ugandan Universities. The delegation led by the Prof Fanual Tagwira, the Permanent Secretary, consisted of representatives from the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, Universities, FAWE and MasterCard Foundation.

NCHE awards best exhibitors. NCHE awarded the best exhibitors at the 16th Annual Higher Education Exhibition, held under the theme: “Harnessing Innovation in Higher Education for Accelerated Economic Transformation.” The award ceremony marked the close of the three-day exhibition hosted at Gulu University from 26th to 28th March 2026. The winners were: 1. Uganda Christian University (@UCUniversity) – Best Exhibitor in the category of Public and Chartered Universities. 2. LivingStone International University (@LIUUganda) – Best Exhibitor in the category of Universities with Provisional Licenses and Other Degree-Awarding Institutions. 3. Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (@UICTug) – Best Exhibitor in the category of Other Tertiary Institutions. Congratulations to all the winners for the outstanding exhibitions and commitment to innovation in higher education.