The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has withdrawn recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) with immediate effect, citing the university’s failure to respond to a formal notice over concerns about the management of its pharmacy department.
In a public notice dated October 19, 2026, the society warned that the decision could affect current students and graduates, including their eligibility for professional registration processes, internships and qualifying examinations.
The notice, signed by PSU Secretary Dr Stephen Lutoti, states that the decision was reached during the society’s 61st Emergency Council Meeting held at Pharmacy House in Kyambogo.
According to PSU, the university had failed to address concerns regarding the leadership and staffing of its Department of Pharmacy, prompting the professional body to begin proceedings to withdraw recognition of the degree programme.
PSU Raises Concerns Over Pharmacy Department
The society said its 127th Ordinary Council Meeting, held on September 4, 2026, expressed concern that MUST’s Department of Pharmacy was being headed in an acting capacity by a person who was not a pharmacist by profession.
PSU further alleged that the department had an inadequate number of staff and that the university had not appointed sufficient internal or external personnel to substantially fill the position of Head of Department.
The concerns were significant because pharmacy education requires appropriate academic leadership, qualified teaching personnel and compliance with professional training standards.
Following the September meeting, PSU issued a Show Cause Notice dated September 10, 2026, giving MUST 30 days to explain why recognition of its Bachelor of Pharmacy programme should not be withdrawn and why students should not be transferred to other recognised universities.
However, the society says MUST failed to respond within the stipulated period.
PSU subsequently resolved to withdraw recognition of the programme, effective immediately, in a decision that places the university’s pharmacy training programme under pressure to address the concerns raised by the professional body.
Graduates Face Restrictions
The withdrawal comes with immediate professional consequences, according to the notice.
PSU said it would not recognise qualifications obtained where courses were taught and/or assessed during the period of de-recognition.
The society also announced the suspension of the issuance of PSU Pharmacy Student Numbers, recognition of internship placements and eligibility for newly graduating MUST students to sit the society’s pre-internship and pre-registration qualifying examinations.
These restrictions will remain in force until MUST restores compliance with the requirements set by the society.
The decision raises concerns for students approaching graduation, particularly those preparing to transition from university training into supervised professional practice and subsequent qualification processes.
Students Told to Consider Transfers
PSU has advised students currently enrolled in MUST’s Bachelor of Pharmacy programme to seek transfers to other universities recognised by the society or wait for the university to comply with the outstanding requirements.
The notice does not identify specific universities to which affected students should transfer, leaving students and their families to seek further guidance on available options.
The decision could also create uncertainty over the continuity of studies, credit transfers and the time students may need to complete their pharmacy education.
Students are therefore likely to require clarification from both MUST and PSU regarding the practical arrangements for transferring, the recognition of coursework already completed and the conditions under which the programme could regain recognition.
MUST Given an Opportunity to Restore Recognition
Despite the withdrawal, PSU indicated that the matter could be reviewed if MUST addresses the outstanding concerns.
The society said that if the university complies with the findings of an inspection report sent to the Vice Chancellor and resolves issues raised in the Show Cause Notice, a follow-up inspection will be conducted.
The inspection would assess whether the university has met the required standards and inform further action by the council.
The notice does not specify a date for the follow-up inspection or indicate how long the restoration process might take.
PSU said it was acting under its statutory mandate pursuant to Section 22(2) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, Cap. 309, which it cited as the legal basis for safeguarding pharmacy training standards.
Copies of the notice were sent to the Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education, the Commissioner for Health Education and Training at the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Vice Chancellor of MUST and the President of the Mbarara University Pharmacy Students Association.
The university had not provided a response in the notice, and its position on the allegations was not included in the document.
The next steps will depend on MUST’s response to the concerns and whether a subsequent inspection establishes that the programme meets the standards required for recognition by the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda.
