Mbarara University Resolves Pharmacy Degree Impasse After Leadership Overhaul

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has taken decisive action to resolve the regulatory failures that prompted the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) to de-recognise its Bachelor of Pharmacy degree programme.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (Central), MUST Secretary Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora announced that the institution has appointed Jonan Asimire as the caretaker Head of the Department of Pharmacy. This appointment replaces the non-pharmacist nurse whose interim placement initially sparked the crisis.

The standoff began when the PSU issued a 30-day notice highlighting severe academic shortcomings, including failure to advertise the vacancy left by the resignation of former head Prof. Patrick Ogwang and a critical shortage of qualified pharmacy instructors. When the compliance deadline passed, the PSU revoked the programme’s recognition, halting student numbers, internship placements, and qualifying exams for graduates.

Kwatampora assured parliamentarians that the university is actively rectifying the situation by recruiting new pharmacists and scheduling meetings with the PSU to lift the sanctions. However, PAC Chairperson Hon. Patrick Oshabe and other lawmakers voiced concerns regarding MUST’s broader staffing crisis, noting that an Auditor General’s report revealed overall staffing levels at a low 30 per cent.

Lawmakers emphasized the urgent need to address these academic shortfalls to ensure the integrity of degrees issued by the specialised medical institution.

Read more details on the Parliament of Uganda.