PSU Clarifies Stand on Mbarara University Pharmacy Graduates

The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has defended its recent decision to withdraw professional recognition from the Bachelor of Pharmacy program at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). According to PSU Secretary Dr. Stephen Lutoti, the move does not revoke the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) accreditation, but rather exercises the professional body’s statutory mandate over health profession entry requirements.

The action sparked public debate and criticism, with some officials arguing it interfered with NCHE’s authority. However, Dr. Lutoti emphasized that academic accreditation and professional recognition are distinct, complementary legal responsibilities handled by different entities. While NCHE governs institutional program approval under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, PSU oversees professional membership pathways, qualifying examinations, and training standards under the Pharmacy and Drugs Act.

PSU noted that an accreditation decision represents a snapshot in time and does not permanently guarantee that a program will continuously meet all clinical training requirements. Subsequent changes in departmental leadership, staffing, and supervision can necessitate further review. The recent withdrawal stemmed from identified gaps in the Department of Pharmacy’s leadership and staffing.

While acknowledging recent corrective steps taken by MUST—including the appointment of an acting head of department—Dr. Lutoti stressed that these representations must be formally verified through joint technical engagements involving the university, NCHE, and PSU. The professional body reassured affected students that they would not be treated as casualties of institutional disagreements, noting that fair transitional measures and verified facts would guide future considerations.

PSU expressed willingness to reconsider its decision promptly once sufficient evidence confirms that all professional training requirements have been fully satisfied. Read more details on the Nile Post.