Tayebwa Says MUST Pharmacy Programme Remains Accredited Despite PSU Withdrawal
KAMPALA
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has clarified that the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) remains accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), despite the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) withdrawing its professional recognition.
Speaking during Tuesday’s parliamentary plenary sitting, Tayebwa said he had received several calls from concerned students and parents following the Pharmaceutical Society’s decision, which raised questions about the future of students pursuing pharmacy at the university.
Tayebwa told Parliament that he had contacted NCHE Executive Director Professor Mary J. N. Okwakol, who confirmed that the programme’s accreditation remained valid for another four years.
“The students are learning and being taught an accredited course,” Tayebwa said.
He explained that NCHE had accredited the programme following consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda.
However, Tayebwa acknowledged an apparent overlap in the legal mandates of NCHE and PSU concerning pharmacy education and professional training.
He directed the Minister of Education and Sports to present a comprehensive statement to Parliament on Thursday, October 22, 2026, explaining the circumstances surrounding the dispute and its implications for students.
The Deputy Speaker also instructed the minister to consult the Attorney General and requested the Attorney General’s presence in Parliament to clarify the respective powers of the two regulatory bodies.
Opposition raises concerns over departmental leadership
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi said the concerns raised by the Pharmaceutical Society went beyond the recognition of the programme to the qualifications of the person appointed to head MUST’s Department of Pharmacy.
Ssenyonyi referred to correspondence from PSU questioning whether the department was being headed by an individual with the professional qualifications required for the position.
“If it is a question of somebody heading a department who requires a particular set of qualifications, I think that should be sorted out so that students are not in disarray,” Ssenyonyi said.
He urged the university and relevant government institutions to resolve the matter quickly to prevent further uncertainty among students and graduates.
Minister of State for Education and Sports Peter Ogwang assured Parliament that the ministry would present the requested statement on Thursday.
MUST explains appointment of non-pharmacist
In a letter dated October 20, 2026, addressed to NCHE Executive Director Professor Mary J. N. Okwakol, MUST Vice Chancellor Professor Pauline Byakika-Kibwika explained the circumstances that led to the appointment of a non-pharmacist to head the university’s Department of Pharmacy.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the former Head of Department, an Associate Professor of Pharmacy, resigned in July 2026 after securing a professorial position at another public university.
His departure left a vacancy at a time when the department did not have a pharmacist at the rank of Senior Lecturer or above to take over the position.
The university subsequently appointed Dr Esther Atukunda, a Senior Lecturer with qualifications in nursing, public health and pharmacoepidemiology, to serve as Acting Head of Department for three months.
MUST explained that the appointment was informed by her research experience, familiarity with departmental operations and the need to maintain academic administration ahead of the new academic year.
Dr Atukunda holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science from Makerere University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Leeds and a PhD in Pharmacoepidemiology.
She has worked in the department since around 2009, initially coordinating the Accessing Medicines in Africa and South Asia project, before joining the academic staff.
Although she is not a pharmacist by professional qualification, she has contributed to the training of pharmacy students at MUST for more than a decade.
PSU President appointed Acting Head of Department
The university has since appointed Dr Jonans Tusiimire, a registered pharmacist and President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, as Acting Head of the Pharmacy Department.
His appointment took effect on October 19, 2026, for an initial period of three months.
Tusiimire is also a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Dean of MUST’s Faculty of Health Sciences, a position he has held for the past five years.
In a statement posted on X, Tusiimire confirmed that the Vice Chancellor had requested him to take interim charge of the department following communication from the PSU Council.
He said he accepted the assignment in addition to his existing university responsibilities.
Tusiimire acknowledged that PSU may have acted within its statutory mandate in withdrawing recognition of the programme but questioned whether a different approach could have better served the two institutions and the public.
He explained that his position as PSU President and his employment at MUST placed him under separate institutional obligations.
According to Tusiimire, he is bound by decisions of the PSU Council regardless of his personal views, while his responsibilities at MUST require him to respect the university’s administrative decisions.
He said he declares conflicts of interest and withdraws from relevant decision-making processes to allow independent judgement.
Tusiimire maintained that neither institution could attribute its decisions to interference on his part, adding that the matter was being addressed through official channels.
He also defended the contribution of his predecessor, Dr Atukunda, saying her years of teaching and research deserved recognition.
University cleared to recruit academic staff
Professor Byakika-Kibwika further informed NCHE that MUST had secured clearance from the Ministry of Public Service on October 14, 2026, to recruit or promote academic staff.
The approval followed the university’s request for funding from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The recruitment is expected to address staffing shortages in the Department of Pharmacy, another concern raised by PSU.
The Uganda Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (UPSA) has welcomed the measures and urged students to remain calm as the university works towards meeting the professional body’s requirements.
In a statement issued on October 19, UPSA said the developments followed discussions involving the university administration, student representatives and PSU leadership.
The association also urged universities offering pharmacy programmes to comply with the relevant laws and professional training standards.
Why PSU withdrew recognition
The dispute arose after the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda announced the withdrawal of professional recognition of MUST’s Bachelor of Pharmacy programme with immediate effect.
In a public notice dated October 19, 2026, PSU Secretary Dr Stephen Lutoti said the decision followed concerns raised during the Society’s 127th Ordinary Council Meeting on September 4.
The Council established that the department was being headed in an acting capacity by a nurse rather than a registered pharmacist.
It also cited inadequate academic staffing and the university’s failure to advertise the substantive position of Head of Department.
PSU subsequently issued a show-cause notice to MUST on September 10, giving the university 30 days to explain why recognition of the programme should not be withdrawn.
The Society said the university did not respond within the stipulated period, prompting the Council to withdraw recognition during its 61st Emergency Council Meeting.
The decision also suspended the issuance of pharmacy student numbers, recognition of internship placements and eligibility for pre-internship and pre-registration qualifying examinations for new graduates until compliance is restored.
PSU further stated that qualifications obtained from courses taught or assessed during the period of de-recognition would not be recognised by its Council.
The Society advised affected students to consider transferring to other recognised universities or remain at MUST while awaiting compliance.
What the law provides
The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda cited Section 22(2) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, Cap. 309, which gives its Council responsibility for prescribing or approving courses of study for qualifying examinations, maintaining a register of pharmacists and regulating the training and registration of pharmacy students.
The National Council for Higher Education, on the other hand, is responsible for regulating higher education institutions and accrediting academic programmes under Uganda’s higher education framework.
The distinction between academic accreditation and professional recognition is now at the centre of the dispute.
While NCHE maintains that MUST’s Bachelor of Pharmacy programme remains accredited, PSU has imposed restrictions affecting the professional progression of students and graduates.
The legal relationship between the two bodies, particularly their respective powers over pharmacy training and professional qualification, is among the issues Parliament expects the Attorney General to clarify.
PSU has indicated that a follow-up inspection will be conducted once MUST addresses the concerns raised in its show-cause notice.
Parliament is expected to receive the government’s position on Thursday, October 22, as students and parents await clarification on the implications for pharmacy training, internships and professional registration.
