MUST seeks two pharmacy lecturers amid training concerns
Addressing journalists at the university's Kihumuro campus on October 27, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika said MUST was taking steps to address the concerns, including appointing a qualified pharmacist to head the department in an acting capacity.
Meanwhile, a consultative meeting between PSU and NCHE scheduled for October 27 to discuss concerns surrounding pharmacy training, including MUST's programme, was postponed to a date yet to be communicated.
MBARARA - Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is recruiting two senior pharmacy lecturers as it seeks to address concerns raised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) over the recognition of its Bachelor of Pharmacy programme, a dispute that has cast uncertainty over the training and licensing of future pharmacists.
The recruitment advert, issued on October 27, comes as PSU maintains that the programme remains unrecognised pending the resolution of concerns about academic staffing, facilities, student admissions and clinical training.
The dispute has created uncertainty for 58 pharmacy students expected to graduate alongside 1,670 other students at MUST's 33rd graduation ceremony scheduled for Thursday, October 29.
In a notice issued on October 19, PSU withdrew recognition of the programme, citing inadequate academic staffing, leadership gaps and the university's failure to address previous warnings. The society said graduates would not qualify for registration and licensing as pharmacists under its current position.
PSU Secretary Dr Stephen Lutoti said the society's council had issued MUST a 30-day show-cause notice on September 10, which the university allegedly failed to address.
However, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) maintains that the programme remains accredited. In a clarification issued on October 21, the council said it had re-accredited the programme on January 30, 2025, extending its validity until 2036.
NCHE said the accreditation had not been withdrawn and that teaching should continue. The position highlights the distinction between university programme accreditation and recognition by a professional body responsible for regulating entry into pharmacy practice.
Addressing journalists at the university's Kihumuro campus on October 27, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika said MUST was taking steps to address the concerns, including appointing a qualified pharmacist to head the department in an acting capacity.
She said the department had experienced a leadership gap after its former head resigned in May to join Soroti University. MUST subsequently appointed a senior lecturer with a nursing background and relevant postgraduate qualifications to handle administrative duties as it sought a substantive replacement.
Byakika-Kibwika said the interim head did not teach core pharmacy modules, but acknowledged that the department should be headed by a pharmacist of at least senior lecturer rank.
According to the recruitment advert, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and a relevant master's degree, with a PhD or enrolment in a doctoral programme preferred.
They must also demonstrate substantial academic and research experience, including at least seven peer-reviewed publications, experience supervising postgraduate students, teaching experience, registration with the Pharmacy Board and active membership of PSU.
Meanwhile, a consultative meeting between PSU and NCHE scheduled for October 27 to discuss concerns surrounding pharmacy training, including MUST's programme, was postponed to a date yet to be communicated.
The disagreement comes as Uganda seeks to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions and industry to improve pharmacy training and employment opportunities.
On October 23, PSU engaged Abacus Parenteral Limited to explore opportunities for pharmacy scholarships, industrial training, employment and postgraduate specialisation in pharmaceutical production, quality assurance and clinical pharmacy.
PSU has advised the public to seek written confirmation from the professional body on the status of pharmacy programmes before enrolling.