The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has withdrawn recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), citing concerns over staffing, leadership and the university’s failure to respond to issues raised by the professional body.
In a public notice dated October 19, 2026, the PSU announced that the withdrawal takes effect immediately, warning that the decision will have significant implications for current pharmacy students and future graduates of the university.
The society said its council raised concerns during its 127th Ordinary Council Meeting held on September 4, 2026, after reviewing the state of the Department of Pharmacy at MUST.
According to the notice, the department was being headed by a non-pharmacist who is a nurse by profession. The council also raised concerns over what it described as an inadequate number of staff and the university’s failure to issue an internal or external advertisement to fill the position of Head of Department.
The PSU said these concerns raised questions about the university’s capacity to provide the leadership and staffing required to sustain the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme.
Following the meeting, the council issued MUST with a show-cause notice dated September 10, 2026, giving the university 30 days to explain why recognition of the programme should not be withdrawn and why students should not be transferred to other recognised institutions.
However, the society stated that the university failed to respond within the stipulated period.
During its 61st Emergency Council Meeting held at Pharmacy House in Kyambogo, the PSU council subsequently resolved to withdraw recognition of the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at MUST with immediate effect.
The decision introduces restrictions affecting students and graduates of the programme. The society stated that it would not recognise qualifications obtained from courses taught or assessed during the de-recognition period.
Additionally, the PSU has suspended the issuance of Pharmacy Student Numbers to new students from the programme. It has also suspended recognition of internship placements and eligibility for pre-internship and pre-registration qualifying examinations for new graduates of MUST until compliance is restored.
The society advised students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme to consider transferring to other universities recognised by the PSU or await compliance by MUST.
The council added that the university could address the concerns raised in its inspection findings and show-cause notice. Should MUST demonstrate compliance, the PSU said it would conduct a follow-up inspection to assess the corrective measures taken before determining further action.
The society maintained that the decision was made in line with its statutory mandate under Section 22(2) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, Cap 309, which it cited as the legal basis for safeguarding pharmacy training standards.
The development places pressure on MUST to address the concerns raised by the professional body, particularly those relating to departmental leadership, staffing and the requirements for training future pharmacists.
