MBARARA, Uganda — The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has withdrawn recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy program at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), citing concerns over the management and staffing of the university’s pharmacy department.
The decision took effect Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, according to a public notice issued by PSU Secretary Dr. Lutoti Stephen.
PSU said its Council had raised concerns about the pharmacy department during its 127th Ordinary Council Meeting held on Sept. 4. Among the issues cited was the appointment of a non pharmacist, a nurse by profession, to head the department in an acting capacity.
The society also said the department had an inadequate number of staff and that MUST had not advertised the position of head of department either internally or externally for substantive appointment.
Following the concerns, PSU issued MUST a Show Cause Notice on Sept. 10, giving the university 30 days to explain why recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy program should not be withdrawn and students transferred to other recognized institutions.
According to the notice, MUST did not respond within the period given.
The PSU Council then considered the matter at its 61st Emergency Council Meeting held at Pharmacy House in Kyambogo and resolved to withdraw recognition of the program with immediate effect.
The decision comes 10 days before MUST is due to hold its 33rd Graduation Ceremony at Kihumuro Main Campus on Oct. 29.
The decision has consequences for students and graduates. PSU said it will not recognize qualifications obtained from courses taught or assessed during the period in which the program remains derecognized.
The society has also suspended the issuance of PSU Pharmacy Student Numbers for new students, recognition of internship placements and eligibility for new MUST graduates to sit the PSU pre internship and pre registration qualifying examinations until the university complies with the requirements.
Current students have been advised to either seek transfer to other universities whose pharmacy programs are recognized by the PSU Council or wait for MUST to address the concerns raised.
PSU said the withdrawal does not necessarily close the door on the program permanently. If MUST addresses the findings from the society’s inspection and responds to the issues raised in the Show Cause Notice, PSU will conduct a follow up inspection.
The outcome of that inspection will determine whether further action can be taken on the program’s recognition.
The society said its decision is part of its statutory responsibility to safeguard standards in pharmacy education and training under Section 22(2) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, Cap. 309.
The decision now leaves current pharmacy students at MUST facing a choice between seeking alternative institutions and waiting for the university to resolve the concerns raised by the professional body.
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