The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has directed Victoria University to immediately halt teaching, assessments and clinical placements for Bachelor of Pharmacy students admitted beyond its approved annual quota of 50.

In a letter dated November 2, 2026, PSU warned that the university's Bachelor of Pharmacy programme could be de-recognised if it continues to disregard regulatory requirements.

The directive follows the university's admission of 364 students for the August/September 2026 intake, despite having approval for only 50 students per year.

According to PSU, the university admitted 314 students above its approved quota and 114 more than the 250 students it had requested in a pending application to increase its intake.

The society said the university's request to increase its annual intake from 50 to 250 students had not been approved because a mandatory joint inspection by PSU and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) had not been conducted.

PSU maintained that a pending application does not constitute approval and that the university cannot independently establish additional student cohorts to circumvent the approved intake limit.

University given seven days to submit enrolment records

PSU has directed Victoria University to submit a certified final enrolment list within seven days, showing how many of the 364 admitted students actually reported.

The university must also provide a signed list of exactly 50 students retained as the approved 2026/2027 cohort and evidence of a written undertaking by the Vice Chancellor to halt teaching, fee collection and clinical placements for students placed on hold.

PSU said it was ready to conduct a joint inspection with NCHE to assess additional facilities at the university, subject to confirmation of NCHE's availability.

The society cited an earlier inspection in April 2026, during which the university reportedly presented records showing 895 students enrolled across 11 intakes between September 2022 and March 2026.

It argued that the figures demonstrated a pattern of admissions above the approved quota, which was set at 50 students annually following accreditation in April 2024.

PSU warns of consequences for graduates

The society warned that continued non-compliance could result in the programme being de-recognised, potentially affecting students' eligibility for pre-internship and pre-registration examinations, membership of PSU and registration as pharmacists in Uganda.

It also raised concerns about the quality of training, noting that pharmacy students must demonstrate practical competencies through physical examinations and assessments.

PSU said it supported expanding pharmacy education in Uganda but insisted that growth must be supported by adequate facilities, staffing, laboratories, libraries and clinical training sites.

The society emphasised that its regulatory mandate under the Pharmacy and Drugs Act requires it to safeguard patient safety, professional standards and the future employability of pharmacy graduates.

The letter was copied to the Ministers of Health and Education, the parliamentary committees on Health and Education, NCHE, the Uganda Law Society and the Uganda Pharmaceutical Students Association, among other stakeholders.