KAMPALA: The National Council for Higher Education has cleared Victoria University to obtain a full operating charter.
NCHE Deputy Executive Director Dr. Alex Kagume communicated the decision in a December 15, 2021 letter to the University.
Dr. Kagume indicated that at its 63rd sitting on December 13, 2021, the NHCE resolved to recommend that the Minister of Education, Janet Museveni, grant Victoria University a full charter in accordance with 101 (3)b of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001.
The NCHE Resolution precedes the minister of education’s sending the charter to President Museveni for final approval and gazettement.
As you may be aware, the law provides for requisite procedures governing the grant of a charter. This 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 letter of approval.”
Victoria University has been asked to pay the licence fees to fulfil this procedure.
Victoria University’s charter is a big deal because it places the institution in the club of private universities with government of Uganda recognition and certification.
The Ugandan law defines a Chartered Institution according to Section 103 (a) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001, as amended, to mean a university comparable to a public university.