The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Uganda has removed over 1,000 academic programs from its accreditation list, leaving thousands of students seeking university education locally and abroad in uncertainty. Affected institutions are now barred from admitting students into these programs, nor can they verify such courses for international admissions.
The delisting primarily stems from universities and tertiary institutions failing to update and review their courses as mandated by NCHE. Previously labeled “expired,” these programs are now termed “due for review” to reflect the need for modernization to align with evolving academic and industry standards.
Academic Setbacks and International Rejections
In 2023, reports surfaced of foreign universities rejecting degrees from Ugandan institutions due to “expired” or outdated courses, sparking widespread concerns among students and educational stakeholders. One student, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiography, faced rejection from the University of Bristol for this reason.
Despite efforts by Makerere University to issue accreditation letters, the student’s application was denied as proof of valid accreditation during her enrollment period was unavailable. Makerere’s Deputy Academic Registrar acknowledged the delay in updating programs and noted that the Bachelor of Medical Radiography program is still under review.
Efforts to Rectify the Situation
Makerere University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza clarified that program approvals and reviews are managed by the University Senate. Science courses, in particular, require lengthy review processes involving laboratory assessments and quality assurance checks. “We aim to run only reassessed programs with input from stakeholders, including employers and international partners,” he emphasized.
Prof. Buyinza reassured applicants that universities remain open to communicating with institutions abroad to clarify program statuses during the review process.
NCHE Accreditation Updates
NCHE Director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation, Vincent Ssembatya, stated that by late 2023, over 700 programs were affected, while approximately 3,050 courses have been reviewed and re-accredited, with 660 others pending approval. NCHE continues to streamline processes to ensure prompt reviews and clear guidelines for program accreditation.
Efforts are underway to establish an archive of past program accreditations to address verification issues for students applying abroad.
Advice for Institutions and Students
NCHE urges institutions to initiate reviews a year before course accreditation expires. Students are encouraged to verify the accreditation status of programs before enrollment. Institutions have also been warned against advertising or offering non-accredited courses.
Background on Expired Courses
Courses in Uganda typically undergo re-accreditation every five to ten years. Expiration does not invalidate degrees but signals the need for program reassessment to meet current academic standards. NCHE’s shift to labeling such courses as “under review” aims to alleviate public concerns.
Despite these challenges, NCHE and universities are working diligently to restore trust and ensure the validity of academic programs to safeguard Uganda’s educational reputation and student prospects.
NCHE has taken several actions to address the issue of expired courses, including declassifying expired courses. NCHE has changed the term “expired” to “under review” for courses that are being reviewed.
Some of the affected courses
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
- Master of Science in physiology
- Bachelors of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Diploma Entry )
- Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine
- Diploma in Emergency Medicine for Emergency Care Practitioners
- Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction and Media
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
- Bachelor of science in Agricultural Livelihoods and Farm Production
- Master of Medicine in Psychiatry
- Master of Medical Laboratory Science
- Bachelor of Gender and Women Health (B.GWH)
Makerere University
- Bachelor of Laws
- Master of Instructional Design and Technology
- Bachelor of Youth Development Work
- Bachelor of Geographical Sciences
- Master of Science in Disaster Risk Management
- Master of science in Wildlife Health and Management
- Master of Education
- Bachelor of Industrial Livestock Business
- Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology
- Master of Science in Records and Archives Management
- Master in Bioethics
Kyambogo University
- Master of Public Health
- Bachelor of Economics and Statistics
- Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Instruction
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences
- Master of Arts in Economics
- Diploma in Deaf Studies
- Diploma in Food Processing Technology
- Bachelor of Adult and Community Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation
- Bachelor of Demography and Reproductive Health
- Diploma in accounting and Finance
- bachelor of education – Secondary (Science
- bachelor of education, Special needs education
- bachelor of education in education
- bachelor of education – Secondary (Vocational Studies)
- bachelor of education – Secondary (arts
- bachelor of education -Secondary (business Studies
Uganda Christian University
- Bachelor of Economics and Management
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- Diploma in Procurement and Logistics
- Bachelor of Projects Planning and Management
- Bachelor of Development Economics
- Diploma in Primary Education in service
- Bachelor of Business Computing
- Master of Nursing Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
- Bachelor of Electronics and Communication Science
- Bachelor of Development and Social Entrepreneurship
- Diploma in Microfinance
- Bachelor of Interior and Landscape Design
Gulu University
- Bachelor of Development Studies
- Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship Skills Development
- Bachelor of Science Education- Economics
- Diploma in Secretarial and Information Management
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
- Master of Science in Information and Communication Technologies for Development
- Bachelor of Information Technology- Business Computing
- Master Diploma in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science Education (Agriculture)
- Bachelor of Public Health
- Bachelor of Science in Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering
Islamic University of Uganda
- Bachelor of Library and Information Science
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Diploma in Records Management
- Master of Science in Environmental Science
- Diploma in Library and Information Science
- Master of Arts in History
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration
- Bachelor of Public Administration
- Diploma in Business Studies
- Bachelor of Arts (Sharia)
- Master of Arts ( Sharia)
- Foundation Programme / Remedial Programme- Science
- Bachelor of Science ( Chemistry )
- Diploma in Primary Education – Professional Programme
Busitema University
- Diploma of Catering and Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Catering and Hospitality Management
- Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health
- Diploma in Industrial Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Diploma in Crop Production and Management
- Bachelor of Science in Animal Production and Management
Victoria University
- Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management
- Diploma in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Environmental Health Sciences
- Diploma in Business Information Systems
- Bachelor Degree in Banking and Finance
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bugema University
- Foundation Programme (Science)
- Foundation Programme (Arts)
- Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with Development Ministry
Kumi University
- 1. Bachelor of Commerce
- Diploma in Languages
- Diploma in Community Development
- Bachelor of Community Development
- Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
International University of East Africa
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Tourism and Hotel Management
- Masters in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Tourism Operations & Management