By Over 100 pharmacy students from universities across Uganda have petitioned Parliament, challenging what they call illegal fees and examinations imposed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU). They say the pre-internship exams have no legal basis, unfairly target their profession, and worsen the country’s shortage of health workers.
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The petition, presented on 8 August 2025 to the Youth MP for Northern Region, Boniface Okot, was signed by 107 students from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kampala International University, Cavendish University, and Victoria University. The group argues that accredited universities already assess, graduate, and certify pharmacy students — making PSU’s additional examinations and independent confirmation of academic attendance an unnecessary duplication.
“What legal basis does PSU have to administer pre-internship examinations? Isn’t this an unlawful attempt to extract fees from poor students who have already struggled to complete their courses?” petition leader Khaukha asked.
The students also cited a 2023 High Court ruling in Brian Mbarazi and Ronald Masareka v. The Attorney General of UMDPC, which found that professional councils cannot impose pre-registration or pre-internship exams without explicit legislative authority. They argue this decision renders PSU’s exams legally indefensible.
Among their concerns is the financial burden on graduates. Candidates are required to pay UGX 360,000 for a pre-registration exam and UGX 260,000 for a pre-internship exam. Those who fail must pay the fees again to resit the tests. Petitioners said the exams cause undue psychological pressure, have ambiguous requirements, and are conducted without transparency. They pointed to a recently publicised 61% failure rate, claiming the figures are arbitrary and not subject to government verification.
Khaukha warned that such practices block qualified graduates from entering internships — the gateway to professional practice — and push them into unemployment.
“WHO recommends at least one pharmacist for every 2,000 people. In Uganda, one pharmacist serves about 22,000 citizens. PSU’s bureaucracy is preventing qualified graduates from joining the workforce, prioritising rote memorisation over practical skills,” he said.
The students further noted that other health councils — such as the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, and the Allied Health Professionals Council — do not impose similar requirements on their members.
MP Okot commended the petitioners for raising their concerns peacefully, acknowledging gaps in pharmaceutical regulation.
“The pharmacist’s role is critical for a country facing major health challenges. Addressing these concerns will ensure more young people join the profession on a legal basis,” he said. “There are questions about payments that were never approved through legitimate processes, and the accountability of those funds must be examined.”
He stressed the importance of fairness and standardisation in health professions.
“If one group of young people is subjected to a process that others are not, where is the fairness? We will follow up to ensure their voices are heard and that Uganda benefits from fully trained professionals ready to serve,” Okot added.
The petitioners are calling on Parliament to abolish the PSU exams altogether, saying they undermine graduates’ rights and deviate from global best practices in pharmaceutical regulation.
