By Swift Reporter
The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) is facing mounting public criticism, with Ugandans on social media questioning its professionalism, leadership conduct and what they describe as an apparent attempt by a small group of individuals to use the professional body to pursue personal interests at the expense of students and higher education institutions.
The growing backlash follows a series of controversies surrounding PSU’s threats against several universities, including Mbarara University of Science & Technology and Victoria University, whose pharmacy programmes recently became the subject that sparked anxiety among students, parents and other stakeholders.
Many Ugandans have taken to X to express frustration with what they consider an increasingly confrontational approach by PSU, accusing its leadership of acting as though it possesses unlimited authority over training institutions.
Some commentators argue that while professional associations have an important responsibility to protect standards in their respective professions, such responsibilities should not become an excuse for intimidation, personal confrontations or decisions that create unnecessary uncertainty among students.
The criticism has particularly focused on PSU top management, with some users questioning the leadership style and accusing it of misleading the society into controversies that could damage its credibility.
For students and parents, the biggest concern is the uncertainty created when a professional body rushes to social media with alarming declarations about academic programmes without first engaging the concerned universities through formal consultations and institutional meetings. Such actions risk causing unnecessary panic among students and parents who have invested significant resources in their education.
The controversy has also raised questions about whether some individuals within PSU’s leadership could be using the society to settle personal scores or advance interests that have little to do with protecting the pharmacy profession.
The growing discontent was further amplified last week when the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) issued a clarification concerning PSU’s alarming announcement on the withdrawal of recognition of Mbarara University of Science and Technology’s Bachelor of Pharmacy programme.
In a statement that attracted considerable attention, NCHE made it clear that the programme remained fully accredited, with its latest accreditation granted on January 30, 2025, valid until 2036.
More importantly, NCHE disclosed that it had neither been involved nor consulted in PSU’s unilateral decision, reminding the society that the statutory mandate to accredit programmes and recognise academic qualifications rests with the Council.
NCHE subsequently reaffirmed that MUST’s pharmacy programme should continue operating, effectively putting to rest fears that its accreditation had been withdrawn.
The clarification was celebrated by Ugandans who felt that PSU had overstepped its authority. For many of those commenting online, NCHE had finally drawn a line between the responsibilities of a professional association and the legal powers of the country’s higher education regulator.
Meanwhile, despite the growing public backlash, PSU maintains that its statements and actions are guided by its mandate to ensure that Uganda produces competent, qualified and professionally fit pharmacists.
Below Are Some Of The Comments From Netizens
