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Africa Renewal University has finally been granted a charter by the Government of Uganda after a long wait.

The charter was granted by President Yoweri Museveni on March 11, 2024.

A charter is a certification that allows a university to offer all levels of degrees, including doctoral degrees and also ranks the institution in the same category as public universities. 

The development was disclosed by Prof. Mary Okwakol, the executive director of National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in a missive to the university dated March 13, 2024. 

“I am pleased to inform you that following your application for grant of a charter, H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda has approved and granted Africa Renewal University a Charter,” the letter reads in part.

Africa Renewal University vice-chancellor, Dr Vincent Byamukama said, the quest for a charter began in 2019, when they applied to NCHE. Following a series of meetings and inspection visits by the NCHE team, the regulator wrote a letter in January 2023 to clear the university for  charter status, awaiting ascent by the President.

"We are deeply honoured to receive this charter from the government of Uganda. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to providing transformative education that equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to address the challenges facing Uganda and Africa today,” Byamukama said.

The vice-chancellor underscored the university’s resolve to continue to strive for excellence in education and make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities.

Africa Renewal University is a private Christian university located in Wakiso Buloba, 20km along the Kampala–Mityana Road. It started in 2007 as Gaba Bible Institute; a theological institute for equipping Christian leaders. It was provisionally licensed in 2013 and in 2014 rebranded to its current name.

The university with an enrolment of over 1,500 students now offers masters, bachelor’s degrees, diploma and certificates in various courses.

Records indicate that over 31 universities in Uganda are currently operating under provisional certificates as they strive to attain charter status.

Requirements for a charter

A charter is granted to universities that have demonstrated high quality in staffing, teaching and learning, research output, extension services, infrastructural development, and good governance, among others.

For any institution to be accredited, NCHE must be satisfied, after a series of inspections and visitations, that the institution concerned has adequate physical and financial resources, viable programmes, adequate qualified staff and structures of governance to deliver quality higher education.

Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act, states that the charter is granted by the President as evidence that the university meets the requirements and standards of academic excellence set by the NCHE.