Uganda has nearly doubled the number of universities accredited to teach pharmacy, a move signaling a major expansion in the country’s capacity to train medicine experts amid growing health care demands.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, the body mandated to regulate pharmacy training and practice, has approved nine universities to offer the Bachelor of Pharmacy program. That is up from about four institutions in 2024 and six in 2025, according to an updated list released with the National Council for Higher Education.
The accredited universities include Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Gulu University, Busitema University, Victoria University, Kampala International University Western Campus, as well as newer entrants Fins Medical University, Seeta University and Jeph International University.
The expansion reflects a deliberate push to grow Uganda’s pharmaceutical workforce as the country grapples with rising demand for safe medicine use, regulation and specialized health care services.
Under the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda is tasked with ensuring high standards in training and practice. In a statement released by Dr. Lutoti Stephen, the society’s secretary, the accreditation of more institutions is intended to widen access to training while maintaining strict quality oversight.
“The universities must adhere to the required standards; the council may withdraw their recognition,” the society said in a public notice issued April 16, underscoring concerns about maintaining quality as training expands.
Only graduates from accredited institutions will be eligible for registration as pharmacists in Uganda, a requirement the society says is critical to safeguarding patient safety and professional standards.
The reforms also introduce tighter tracking of students. All pharmacy students must now register annually through the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda student portal, where they are issued a unique identification number. The move aims to improve oversight from admission through qualification.
In addition, Ugandans studying pharmacy abroad will be required to register with the society and sit qualifying examinations before being licensed to practice locally, a step intended to standardize training regardless of where it is obtained.
After completing their degree, graduates must pass pre-internship and post-internship exams administered by the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda council before full registration. These exams, held twice a year, are designed to ensure that all pharmacists meet nationally set competence standards.
Lutoti said the increase in training institutions could help address gaps in pharmaceutical services, particularly in underserved and rural areas where access to qualified pharmacists remains limited.
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