Education in Uganda falls under the Ministry of Education and Sports that oversees the running of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the country. In order to improve literacy levels in the country, both public and private universities are licensed to offer programs to both local and international students. Uganda Chartered Universities are managed by the MOE specifically the Department of Higher Education whose mission is to supervise, coordinate and guide the admissions, study, training and teaching and research at all institutions of higher learning
Definition of Uganda Chartered Universities
The Ugandan Constitution defines a Chartered Institution as:
A chartered University according to Section 103 (a) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as amended, means such a university is comparable to a Public University.
Other definitions include:
The Complete List of Uganda Chartered Universities
Islamic University in Mbale (Chartered)
“The Islamic University in Uganda was opened in the year 1988 by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under a bilateral agreement between the Government of Uganda (GOU) and the OIC. In 1990, the Parliament of Uganda enacted a law, The Islamic University in Uganda Act (cap 131, Laws of Uganda), formally establishing the University in Uganda. The University operates under the framework of this Act. The University opened on 10th February 1988 with 80 students and two degree programs. Currently, it offers 72 programs in 7 Faculties and has a student population of 8,638 coming from 21 different countries.
Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi (Chartered)
Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is a private university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda. It is licensed by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education. UMU consists of seven faculties, one institute, four centers, five departments, and two schools.
Nkumba University, Entebbe (Chartered)
Nkumba University (NU) is a private university in Entebbe, Uganda. It was established in 1994 as part of a group of schools and colleges that originally grew from a kindergarten established in 1951. The university is dedicated to the promotion of excellence in applied business education. The university builds students on the 4Cs: Creativity, Confidence, Competence and Character. The university is not affiliated with any particular religious organization, but it accommodates several religious associations, which allow the students to fellowship along religious beliefs and to devote adequate time to God.
Bugema Adventist University (Chartered)
Uganda Christian University, Mukono (Chartered)
Uganda Christian University (UCU) is an authentic Christian institution established by the Church of Uganda in 1997 in response to a call for quality university education with a Christian perspective.
Uganda Christian University replaced the historic Bishop Tucker Theological College which trained clergy and educators during its 84-year history from 1913-1997. The local chief, Hamu Mukasa, granted land for the college to operate in Mukono.
International partnerships were part of the Bishop Tucker Theological College’s missionary history. The Church Mission Society teamed up with Ugandan leaders and others to assure the College had the necessary intellectual and other capital.
By the late 1990s, the Church of Uganda sought to have a broader impact on society through university education – not only educating clergy but other professionals as well.
Located in Mukono, less than an hour’s drive from the capital city Kampala, Uganda Christian University is one of Uganda’s leading teaching and research universities.
Ndejje University, Luwero (Chartered)
Established in 1992, Ndejje University (NDU) is the oldest private university and the fastest growing in Uganda. In 1995 the University gained its status under the ownership of the Anglican Diocese of Luweero. Later in 2002, the ownership base was expanded to include all six Church of Uganda Dioceses in Buganda Region in what became known as “Ndejje University Foundation Consortium.” The Consortium is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee, not having share capital. It is responsible for appointing the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, and Chairperson of the Council including members of the University Council.
In 2009 the University was chattered by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) of Uganda meaning that all certificates awarded at the University where nationally and internationally recognized. Also, all courses offered in the university were accredited by the same body. The University further subscribes to the Inter University Council for East Africa and Association of African universities.
Ndejje university through its multiple programs (Day, Evening, Weekend and Distance Learning) offers and awards certificates in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses to a student population of about 8,000 both Ugandan and foreign. The University has a steady growth rate each academic year, with two intakes each year, that is, January and August intakes respectively.
Kampala International University (Chartered)
Kampala International University (KIU) is a private multi-campus university in Uganda. KIU has its main campus at Kansanga, a location in Makindye Division in the south-eastern part of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. The campus is approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south-east of Kampala’s central business district, along the road to Ggaba.
KIU’s second campus is located in Ishaka in Bushenyi District, approximately 360 kilometres (220 mi), by road, south-west of Kampala.[2]
KIU maintains a regional campuses, the KIU Dar es Salaam Constituent College, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya.
