By Swift Reporter
The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) is facing growing questions over its handling of the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Victoria University, with fresh concerns emerging about the impartiality of its leadership and the circumstances surrounding its recent regulatory action against the institution.
At the centre of the controversy is PSU Secretary-General Dr Stephen Lutoti, whose previous senior positions at Victoria University have raised questions about whether his professional history with the institution could have created a perceived conflict of interest in the ongoing dispute.
Dr Lutoti previously served as Head of the Department of Pharmacy at Victoria University before rising to become Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences before being fired over competence concerns. His association with the institution makes the current standoff particularly sensitive, especially given his position within the professional body now taking a tough regulatory position against his former employer.
The controversy has attracted attention because Victoria University is reported to have sought a formal inspection more than a year ago as part of its efforts to secure approval for an increased student intake.
Rather than allowing the matter to proceed through a timely inspection and clear communication of regulatory requirements, the university has now found itself facing a seven-day ultimatum from the PSU, raising questions about the timing, consistency and fairness of the regulator’s approach.
For an institution that has reportedly been seeking regulatory engagement, the situation raises a fundamental question: why should a university’s efforts to obtain formal assessment be followed by an abrupt compliance deadline without the outstanding concerns being transparently addressed?
According to insiders, Victoria University has an interest in maintaining the credibility of its academic programmes and meeting the requirements governing professional training. However, the PSU’s handling of the matter has placed the university, its students and parents in an uncomfortable position, with hundreds of pharmacy students potentially caught up in an institutional dispute whose implications extend beyond the two parties.
Dr Lutoti’s departure from Victoria University is a key subject of discussion, with sources alleging that his exit was characterised by disagreements with university management over his poor performance and incompetence. Infact, claims circulating among individuals familiar with the matter suggest that the relationship deteriorated following his departure.
“The PSU should be able to demonstrate that its decisions are based exclusively on established professional standards, documented evidence and applicable regulatory procedures, rather than circumstances that could create perceptions of personal or institutional bias,” source told Swift News.
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and other relevant authorities now have an important role to play in ensuring that the dispute is independently examined and resolved.
“A transparent review should establish whether Victoria University’s inspection requests were properly handled, whether the institution was given adequate guidance on outstanding requirements and whether the seven-day ultimatum followed the appropriate regulatory procedures,” source added.
“Uganda needs strong professional regulators, but regulatory authority must be exercised with fairness, consistency and accountability. No institution should be above the law, just as no institution should be subjected to questionable regulatory treatment.”
For stakeholders, students should not become casualties of a dispute between a university and a professional body. “Victoria University deserves a fair, transparent assessment of its pharmacy programme, while the PSU must demonstrate that its actions are guided by professional responsibility and not personalities.”