In a significant milestone for Victoria University, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has approved three new programs, including a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), to be taught at the institution. This approval was communicated in a letter dated July 12 to the university’s vice-chancellor, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, from NCHE executive director Prof. Mary Okwakol.
The fast-growing university can now offer courses in Law, as well as Bachelor of Events and Hospitality Management, and Diploma in Events and Hospitality Management.
“I am pleased to inform you that after due consideration, Council at its 76th Meeting of 10th July 2024, under Min. 607/76/2024 accredited the academic programmes indicated below for the specified admissible number of students and the stated accreditation period with effect from July 10,” stated Okwakol.
Victoria University has been authorized to admit 81 students annually to the Law degree programme for the next nine academic years. Dr. Muganga expressed his delight at the accreditation, calling it “great news,” and extended an invitation to prospective law students to apply.
“Ugandans are invited to join Victoria University and become part of the esteemed legal fraternity,” he said. “Our innovative LLB programme goes beyond traditional legal education, offering additional expertise in digital mastery and AI proficiency.”
The university was already offering Law courses, and this accreditation will now enable it to formally award degrees in the discipline. However, the NCHE emphasised that Victoria University must adhere to section 119(A) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, which mandates that institutions cannot run unaccredited programmes. Prof. Okwakol urged the university staff to implement the new programmes in line with NCHE regulations, noting that NCHE officers would conduct periodic administrative and monitoring visits to ensure compliance.
This is the first time in nearly a decade that the NCHE has accredited a new institution to teach Law programmes. Victoria University now joins the ranks of 11 other institutions in Uganda accredited to offer a Bachelor of Laws degree. These include Makerere University, Uganda Christian University, Kampala International University, Nkumba University, Islamic University in Uganda (both Mbale and Kampala campuses), Uganda Pentecostal University, St. Augustine University Kampala, Bishop Stuart University, Gulu University, and Cavendish University.
