The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has withdrawn its recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) program at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), citing staffing failures and non-compliance.
In a public notice dated October 19th, 2026, and signed by the Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Lutoti, the Council said the decision takes immediate effect.
According to Dr. Lutoti, at its 127th Ordinary Council Meeting held on Friday, September 4th, 2026, the Council noted with grave concern that the Department of Pharmacy at MUST, which is running a BPharm program recognized by PSU vide Public Notice dated April 16th, 2026, was headed in acting capacity by a non-pharmacist, a nurse by profession, had an inadequate number of staff, and the University had not issued any internal or external advert to substantively fill the position of Head of Department.
Dr. Lutoti said that following those findings, the Council issued a Show Cause Notice Ref: 300/PSU/2026 dated September 10th, 2026, requiring MUST to show cause within 30 days why recognition should not be withdrawn and students transferred.
“MUST has failed to respond to the said notice within the stipulated period,” Dr. Lutoti stated.
He added that at its 61st Emergency Council Meeting held at Pharmacy House, Kyambogo, the PSU Council deliberated and resolved to withdraw its recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy program at Mbarara University of Science and Technology with immediate effect from the date of this notice.
In the notice, Dr. Lutoti outlined the consequences of the de-recognition.
He said PSU Council shall not recognize any qualification obtained where courses were taught and/or assessed during the de-recognition period.
He further noted that Council has suspended issuance of PSU Pharmacy Student Numbers, recognition of any internship placement, and eligibility to sit PSU pre-internship and pre-registration qualifying examinations for any new graduates of MUST until compliance is restored.
On the fate of current students, Dr. Lutoti advised that those enrolled on the BPharm program at MUST should either seek transfer to other PSU Council-recognized universities or await compliance by MUST.
The PSU Secretary, however, said there is a window for restoration, explaining that should MUST comply with the PSU Council inspection findings sent to the university vice chancellor and issues raised in the Show Cause Notice, a follow-up inspection shall be conducted to assess compliance and inform further action.
“Council remains committed to its statutory mandate under Section 22(2) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act Cap 309 to safeguard Pharmacy training standards,” Dr. Lutoti emphasized.
The notice has been copied to the Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Commissioner for Health Education and Training in the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Vice Chancellor of MUST, the President of Mbarara University Pharmacy Students Association, and all members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda.
