Thousands of Ugandan students aiming to pursue higher education at home and abroad have been left in limbo after the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) removed over 1,000 academic programmes from its accreditation list. This development bars universities from admitting students to these courses and complicates verification processes for students seeking education abroad.
The affected courses, many of which were bachelor’s degree programmes, were delisted because universities and tertiary institutions failed to update them in line with NCHE's standards. Previously labeled as "expired," these courses are now termed "due for review," emphasizing the need for institutions to align their curricula with evolving academic and industry requirements.
This issue gained attention in 2023 when several foreign universities rejected Ugandan degrees, deeming them outdated or linked to expired programmes. Despite the uproar, the problem persists, with graduates continuing to face challenges abroad.
A case in point is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiography, who faced rejection from the University of Bristol in the UK. The applicant discovered that her course was neither listed as accredited on NCHE's portal nor recognized by the university. While Makerere University provided a letter stating the programme was accredited in 2011, it failed to acknowledge that the accreditation had lapsed in 2016, before her enrollment.
Attempts to resolve the matter through NCHE and Makerere’s academic registrar’s office have yet to yield results, leaving the graduate in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
Major institutions, including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, have been impacted. Courses such as Makerere’s Bachelor of Laws and Mbarara’s Master of Science in Physiology have been delisted, barring new admissions until reviews are complete.
According to Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, Makerere’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academics, the review process involves extensive quality checks, laboratory verifications, and consultations with professional bodies. While this ensures academic rigor, it also contributes to delays.
Vincent Ssembatya, NCHE’s director of quality assurance, revealed that approximately 3,050 programmes remain accredited, with 660 pending approval. Meanwhile, 1,300 courses have been removed, some permanently. He advised institutions to begin reviews a year before programme expiry to avoid disruptions.
To address past grievances, NCHE plans to establish an archive for delisted programmes, enabling graduates to verify accreditation status during their years of study. Institutions are also cautioned against advertising or admitting students into non-accredited courses.
NCHE has set a November 30, 2023, deadline for universities to submit programmes for review. Students are encouraged to verify course accreditation before enrollment, while universities must prioritize timely updates to safeguard students' futures.
As the issue unfolds, affected students, institutions, and policymakers must navigate a complex landscape to restore confidence in Uganda’s higher education system.
