KAMPALA – The National Council for Higher Education-NHCE has accorded Muteesa I Royal University a charter status after 15 years in existence.
Prof Mary J. N. Okwalol – the Executive Director of NCHE noted in her letter that the University had fulfilled all the required standards for a charter.
She noted that the council resolved to recommend to the Ministry of Education and Sport for the grant of a charter to the Buganda Kingdom’s owned University.
“As you may be aware, the law provides for requisite procedures governing the grant of Charter, which involves the submission of the Charter to the Minister responsible for Education who then presents it to the President for final approval, before gazettement of the same,” reads – the statement in parts.
A Charter is a final authorisation issued to an institution of higher learning, granting it full permission to operate after meeting all requirements and standards of academic excellence set by the government.
Once granted, the Charter elevates the institution to a level that makes it comparable to public universities as per the University and Other Tertiary Institution Act.
Meanwhile, as it awaits the final approval of the Charter, NHCE has instructed the University to pay the statutory license fees of 15 million Shillings to the Uganda Revenue Authority.
In June last year, Muteesa I Royal University was compelled to close its auxiliary study centres in Bugerere, Kayunga district, and Buwekula in Mubende district, after the NCHE instructed them to stop wasting its limited capacities and resources to the wider scope they could not effectively manage.
Besides their main campus at Kirumba, in Masaka City, the university was allowed to operate one study centre at Kakeeka-Mengo in Kampala.
Prof Vincent Kakembe – the University Vice Chancellor noted that recommendation came out of their joint tireless efforts to fulfil the requirements – indicating that he was optimistic that the Ministry would approve their application.
He observed that the Charter was a great milestone in the development and the academic growth of the University. Kakembe added that they would focus on scientific research and innovativeness that could enable their students, compete favourably at international stands.
Once the Charter is approved by the Ministry of Education, Muteesa I Royal University will become the 21st private university to be fully chartered by the government.
