Govt explains IUIU law course delay
THE Government has blamed the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Mbale for partly being responsible for the delay in accrediting its law degree programme.
By Joyce Namutebi and John Odyek
THE Government has blamed the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Mbale for partly being responsible for the delay in accrediting its law degree programme.
“While the delay in approving the programme by the Law Council committee on legal education and training is regretted, it should be noted that the committee’s work would have been facilitated if IUIU had followed the proper procedure,†Deputy Attorney General Fed Ruhindi said yesterday.
He explained that the university would have lodged its application in 2003 when the programme started instead of doing so in 2005. “That would have ensured that the basic facilities were in place before the programme started,†he told Parliament.
He was responding to a petition to Parliament by IUIU law students over the matter.
Ruhindi said the Law Council had written to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) expressing concerns about new universities that start law degree programmes without its approval and only apply for approval in the third or fourth year. He said an agreement was signed by the NCHE and the respective professional bodies for a joint inspection of the basic facilities before universities are licensed.
The minister also attributed the delay to the delayed restructuring of the Law Council, which left the department with only a few staff.
THE Government has blamed the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Mbale for partly being responsible for the delay in accrediting its law degree programme.
“While the delay in approving the programme by the Law Council committee on legal education and training is regretted, it should be noted that the committee’s work would have been facilitated if IUIU had followed the proper procedure,†Deputy Attorney General Fed Ruhindi said yesterday.
He explained that the university would have lodged its application in 2003 when the programme started instead of doing so in 2005. “That would have ensured that the basic facilities were in place before the programme started,†he told Parliament.
He was responding to a petition to Parliament by IUIU law students over the matter.
Ruhindi said the Law Council had written to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) expressing concerns about new universities that start law degree programmes without its approval and only apply for approval in the third or fourth year. He said an agreement was signed by the NCHE and the respective professional bodies for a joint inspection of the basic facilities before universities are licensed.
The minister also attributed the delay to the delayed restructuring of the Law Council, which left the department with only a few staff.