Hon. Patrick Oshabe
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has resolved 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) on 09 November 2026, the MUST Secretary, Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora revealed that the institution has appointed Jonan Asimire as the caretaker Head of the Department of Pharmacy to replace a non-pharmacist nurse whose interim appointment triggered the crisis.
The standoff began on 10 September 2026, when the PSU issued a 30-day “Show Cause Notice” highlighting severe academic shortcomings.
According to the council, MUST had failed to advertise the leadership vacancy following the resignation of the former head, Prof. Patrick Ogwang.
The university also suffered from a critical shortage of qualified pharmacy instructors.
When MUST missed the compliance deadline, the PSU Council revoked the programme’s recognition. The sanctions froze the issuance of pharmacy student numbers, halted internship placements, and banned new MUST graduates from sitting for mandatory pre-internship and pre-registration qualifying exams.
Kwatampora assured MPs that the university is working swiftly to meet all regulatory prescriptions.
” The issue of staffing started with resignation of former department head, Prof. Ogwang and we are working on him being replaced; two pharmacists have been recruited and there are other calls for recruitment,” he stated adding that an upcoming meeting with the PSU is expected to lift the programme’s de-recognition.
Despite these assurances, PAC Chairperson, Hon. Patrick Oshabe raised concerns over MUST’s broader staffing crisis, pointing out that defying the PSU’s directives in the interim places current students in jeopardy.
Lawmakers were also concerned by reports alleging that the university employs only 10 professors and 17 associate professors.
MPs wondered how that number can adequately supervise postgraduate research.
“If you compare yourself with other universities, where do you lie? You need to reaffirm that when we get PhDs from MUST, they are really good,” Nsamba said.
The academic shortfall aligns with the Auditor General’s report for the period ending December 2025, which exposed a low staffing level of 30 per cent.
The report strongly recommended an increase in wage appropriation to fill critical vacancies required for a specialised medical teaching institution-Ug. Parliament. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
