Over 30 universities have no charter

Over 30 universities in Uganda have no university charter, despite some of them having operated in the country for nearly 10 years.

At the start of a university, a provisional license is a certificate granted by the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) to an applicant wishing to start a private university. At the point of application, a letter of interim authority should be valid.

A charter is granted to universities that possess a provisional license for a minimum of three years and would have satisfied all the conditions set during their time of licensing.

Granted by the Head of State, it defines the governance of the university: its objects, statutes, ordinances, regulations, officers, and powers including those that allow us to award degrees.

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.

List of universities without a charter

Aga Khan University

Kumi University

African Bible College of Uganda

Uganda Pentecostal University

St. Lawrence University

Muteesa I Royal University

All Saints University, Lango

Clarke International University

Cavendish University

International University of East Africa

Victoria University

African Rural University

Livingstone International University

St. Augustine International University

Virtual University of Uganda

Uganda Technology and Management University,

African Renewal University

Nsaka University

Ibanda University

University of Kisubi

Kayiwa International University

Valley University of Science &and Technology

Team University

Great Lakes University

Ankole Western University

University of the Sacred

Metropolitan International University

Avance International University

University of St. Joseph, Mbarara

Nile University

Fins Medical University