The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has concluded a comprehensive four-day monitoring and evaluation exercise at Nkumba University, aimed at assessing the institution’s compliance with national regulatory standards.
The evaluation, which commenced on Tuesday, July 29 and ended on Friday, August 1, 2025, involved a six-member delegation from NCHE. The team conducted a series of structured engagements with university stakeholders, including top management, academic and administrative staff, and student leaders, across both the main campus in Entebbe and the Kampala campus.
Speaking during the final day of the exercise, NCHE official who preferred anonymity said, “Our role is to ensure that universities are not just operating, but delivering quality education within the framework provided by law. This includes infrastructure, academic staffing, financial health, and overall governance.”
The National Council for Higher Education draws its mandate from the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001 (as amended). Its core responsibilities include licensing, quality assurance, supervision, and accreditation of higher education institutions across Uganda.
At Nkumba, the delegation focused on auditing the university’s infrastructure, learning facilities, staffing patterns, financial management systems, and the overall academic environment.
On Thursday afternoon, the team made a detailed visit to Nkumba University’s Kampala Campus, where they assessed the institution’s urban compliance strategy, including lecture spaces, laboratories, and student support systems.
Nkumba University Secretary, Mr. Francis Ssengendo expressed optimism and gratitude for the Council’s timely visit, ” This is good for us, the findings will help us reflect, realign, and improve where necessary. Above all, it provides an independent audit that will inform our strategic planning henceforth.”
Several staff members also welcomed the visit, noting that regular external reviews help maintain standards and push for innovation in the delivery of education.“As a private university, it’s crucial that we align with national benchmarks. This process challenges us to do better,” Mr. Joseph Lwevuze, eLearning Officer at Nkumba University.
Students, too, were part of the dialogue. Mawanda Derrick, the Guild President, described the engagement with the NCHE team as “insightful and forward-looking.” “It gave us a platform to voice student concerns and also appreciate the level of work the university puts into maintaining academic integrity,” he said.
NCHE’s findings will be compiled into a formal report shared with the university. If areas of non-compliance are identified, the institution will be expected to respond with a corrective action plan.
The evaluation comes at the start of Nkumba University’s August semester intake, with the institution encouraging new enrollments under the theme “New Month – New Semester – New Beginnings.”
“We are committed to offering quality education rooted in research, innovation, and societal relevance,” Mr. Ssengendo added.
With the NCHE visit complete, Nkumba University is expected to leverage the insights gained to further strengthen its academic delivery, governance structures, and student support services.
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