The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda wishes to raise serious concerns formally about the recent supplementary admission to the Bachelor of Pharmacy Program at Busitema University for the 2024/2025 academic year. In an official communication to the Academic Registrar of Busitema University dated August 19, 2024, the PSU pointed out critical issues of over-enrollment and student ineligibility, demanding immediate corrective action by the university.
On July 10, 2024, the Busitema University Bachelor of Pharmacy Program was accredited by the National Council for Higher Education with a maximum intake capacity of 45 students per academic year. However, the PSU observed that the latest admission list for the university includes 62 students, which is 17 students above the accredited capacity. This over-enrollment raises very serious concerns about the quality of education and resources exposing students to since this program was accredited based on some facilities and capacities.
Dr. Lutoti Stephen, representing PSU, emphasized what is important is the need to maintain the accredited intake numbers. Of this, he had said in his letter, “As the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, we shall only consider the accredited number of the first 45 students on your admission list as the only officially and lawfully admitted number of pharmacy students at your university.” In other words, PSU finds that the numbers admitted over the accredited number are not considered valid under present terms of accreditation, subsequently affecting the quality of the program and possibly the future accreditation status of the said program.
Other than the challenge posed by the over-enrollment anomaly, the PSU also had reasons to frown upon the admission of four diploma holders into the program. Of the said diploma holders, one is said to have obtained their qualification from a non-endorsed institution. In controlling the integrity of the Bachelor of Pharmacy curriculum, the PSU stipulates that no qualification other than a diploma in Pharmacy from an endorsed institution shall be admitted. Dr. Lutoti insisted on the shade and importance of this requirement: all admitted students should have a minimum required qualification to enable them to excel in the program.
The letter from the PSU shows society’s commitment to ensuring that the highest standards of pharmacy education are maintained in Uganda, as mandated under the Pharmacy and Drugs Act. PSU has asked Busitema University to take instant measures to rectify these issues and align the admission process in line with the set guidelines.
If these issues stopped being corrected, it would jeopardize the accreditation status of the program at Busitema University and the professional future of the students. The PSU assured its collaboration so that the university would meet all the relevant standards and invited the University to request further clarification as needed.
It is hereby expected that the concerns raised shall receive immediate feedback from Busitema University regarding the Bachelor of Pharmacy program to ensure that the standards expected of quality and equity from the National Council for Higher Education and the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda are satisfied.
