The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) convened a consultative workshop with the Chairpersons of Councils and Vice Chancellors of private universities and Other Degree Awarding Institutions (ODAIs). The workshop, held on 18th February 2026 at the NCHE Secretariat, discussed the proposed Regulations for the Establishment and Governance of private universities and ODAIs.
The Executive Director of NCHE, Prof. Mary J.N.Okwakol (above), observed that whereas the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA) is elaborate on the Establishment and Governance of public institutions, it leaves a lot to be desired for private institutions. “The Act is elaborate on the Establishment and Governance of public institutions, with proposals on their governance structures. For private institutions, however, whereas the Act is clear on their Establishment, the Governance aspect is largely left to them; albeit with the guidance of NCHE. This created several governance wrangles relating to ownership, and shareholding among other complaints. In some instances, the disagreements have led to collapse of institutions, to the detriment of students,” she said.
It is against this background that NCHE under Section 134 of the UOTIA, deemed it necessary to come up with a Regulation that will streamline the Establishment and Governance in private universities and Other Degree Awarding Institutions. The workshop therefore sought to give stakeholders an opportunity to enrich the draft regulations.
Prof. Okwakol further noted that the engagements at this gathering will be beneficial beyond boundaries. “As you may be aware, the East African Community was declared a Common Higher Education Area in 2017. Our efforts as a regional bloc to harmonise and standardise higher education have gained traction since then, with commendable steps taken towards having similar or complimentary legal frameworks. The suggestions you will make to improving NCHE’s mandate on regulating private universities and ODAIs are largely a localised affair, but will ultimately serve as a reference point when the regional partners come knocking,” she asserted.
The NCHE Director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation, Dr. Vincent Ssembatya, observed that the workshop was beneficial to all institutions regardless of whether they had attained charter status or not. He encouraged the participants to be open in tabling any issues that could be holding their progression to full potential.
Counsel Olivia Natwazagye from the office of the Attorney General and Counsel Ali Kankaka (above), from Kyazze, Kankaka and Company advocates, guided the participants through the draft Regulations. The gist of these Regulations spelt out several aspects ranging from obtaining a Letter of Interim Authority to attaining a Charter status. In addition, the Regulations now propose the governance, management and administration structures for private universities and ODAIs. The elaborate Regulations for instance propose; the presence of a University Council which shall be the supreme governing body of the private University or private Other Degree Awarding Institution, the University Management, the Senate which shall be the supreme academic organ of the private university or private other degree awarding institution, the Faculty, School, Department, Institute, College as may be necessary; andthe Academic Board or Academic Committee as may be necessary.The Regulationsfurther state that the Statutes of the private University or private ODAI shall provide for the composition, powers, functions, duties and the reporting structure within the various organs, departments and units of the private University or private.
The Director Finance, Planning and Administration at NCHE, Mr.Arthur Babu Muguzi, noted that the institutions had been empowered to submit proper documents. “Going forward, the reports that you submit to NCHE and other applications ought to be compliant to these Regulations upon approval. NCHE is an Institution of high integrity,” he said.
The Head of Department of Institutional Licencing and Accreditation at NCHE Dr. Martin Iremaut Osikei, informed the participants that their input would be incorporated in the main draft Regulation.
