Mbarara University of Science and Technology’s Bachelor of Pharmacy programme has lost recognition from the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda over staffing gaps and concerns about the leadership of the university’s Pharmacy Department, raising uncertainty for students seeking professional registration.

In a public notice dated October 19, the society said it had suspended the issuance of Pharmacy Student Numbers, recognition of internship placements and eligibility of new MUST graduates to sit its pre-internship and pre-registration qualifying examinations until the university complies with the required standards.

The decision follows a resolution adopted at the society’s 61st emergency council meeting in September.

The society’s council secretary, Dr Stephen Lutoti, said the university had failed to address concerns that included the appointment of a non-pharmacist to head the Pharmacy Department, inadequate staffing and the absence of internal or external advertisements to fill the position.

According to the notice, the department had been headed in an acting capacity by a qualified nurse rather than a pharmacist.

Lutoti said the university had also failed to show cause why its recognition should not be withdrawn within 30 days after the Vice Chancellor was served with the council’s resolution.

The society advised students enrolled in the programme to consider transferring to other universities recognised by the council or await compliance by MUST.

It further warned that qualifications obtained from courses taught or assessed during the period of de-recognition would not be recognised by the council.

In response to the leadership concerns, MUST Vice Chancellor Prof Pauline Byakika-Kibwika appointed Dr Jonans Tusiimire as acting head of the Pharmacy Department.

Tusiimire replaces Dr Esther Atukunda and is expected to oversee the process of appointing a substantive head and recruiting additional staff.

Tusiimire is a registered pharmacist, a lecturer in the university’s Pharmacy Department and the current president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda.

His appointment comes at a critical time for the university, which must address the concerns raised by the professional body to restore recognition of the programme and safeguard students’ progression towards professional practice.

In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, Tusiimire said he was bound by decisions of the society’s council and the university’s policies, guidelines and administrative decisions, regardless of his personal views.

He said his responsibility was to provide information, guidance and support to ensure institutional processes functioned appropriately while respecting the distinct mandates of both institutions.

Tusiimire added that he would declare any conflict of interest and recuse himself from the relevant decision-making process where necessary.

The Pharmacy Department falls under MUST’s Faculty of Health Sciences, the university’s oldest and largest faculty, which comprises 25 academic departments offering more than 40 accredited programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.