Mbarara University pharmacy degree legitimate – Minister Ogwang

What the report says

Uganda’s Minister of State for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang, has said pharmacy degrees issued by Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) are valid, according to a statement he said was jointly issued with the Attorney General. The clarification comes after the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) raised concerns about the programme’s legitimacy, prompting public uncertainty over whether students could later practise as pharmacists.

Ogwang said the pharmacy programme at MUST is continuing lawfully and urged current and prospective students not to panic. He said the issues raised by the pharmaceutical regulator had already been addressed through the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), with the relevant institutions involved in handling the matter. The article did not provide further detail on the specific concerns raised by PSU or the full contents of the government statement.

The dispute also touched on leadership at the university’s Department of Pharmacy. Ogwang said the post of head of department will be re-advertised, while noting that MUST had appointed Dr Jonans Tusiimire, a pharmacist and senior lecturer, as acting head for three months from 19 October 2026. In Parliament, some MPs linked the episode to internal conflict at MUST and said the controversy was unfair to students. The report also noted that the Government Chief Whip said legal uncertainty between PSU and NCHE could be addressed through an amendment expected soon.