Published on 12/08/2025
A total of 107 pharmacy students from various universities in Uganda have petitioned Parliament, protesting what they describe as illegal fees and examinations imposed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU).
They argue that these pre-internship exams are not required for other health professions, such as medicine and nursing, and therefore lack a legal basis.
The petition, presented on 8 August 2025 to the Youth MP for Northern Region, Boniface Okot, was led by The students argue that PSU’s examinations and independent confirmation of academic attendance constitute unnecessary duplication, as accredited universities already assess, graduate, and certify pharmacy students.
“What legal basis does PSU have to administer pre-internship examinations? Isn’t this an unlawful attempt to extract fees from poor students who have already struggled to complete their courses?” Khaukha asked.
The petitioners are calling on Parliament to abolish the exams, which they say undermine graduates’ rights and deviate from global best practices in pharmaceutical regulation.
They accuse PSU of lacking transparency and accountability, citing a recently publicised 61% failure rate in the exams, figures they say are arbitrary and not subject to government verification. They warn that such practices block qualified graduates from entering internships, worsening Uganda’s shortage of health workers.
“WHO recommends at least one pharmacist for every 2,000 people. In Uganda, one pharmacist serves about 22,000 citizens. PSU’s bureaucracy is preventing qualified graduates from joining the workforce, prioritising rote memorisation over practical skills,” Khaukha said.
The protesting students, drawn from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kampala International University, Cavendish University, and Victoria University, noted that other health councils—such as Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, and Allied Health Professionals Council, do not impose similar requirements.
They argue that beyond its alleged illegality, the PSU exam creates undue psychological pressure, demands unaccountable fees, and imposes ambiguous requirements. Currently, candidates must pay UGX 360,000 for a pre-registration exam and UGX 260,000 for a pre-internship exam. Those who fail must pay again to resit the tests.
Khaukha questioned: “What happens to graduates who can’t proceed to internship because they failed an exam with no legal merit? This is pushing qualified youth into unemployment in an already struggling economy.”
The students also cite a 2023 High Court ruling in Brian Mbarazi and Ronald Masareka v. The Attorney General of UMDPC, which stated that professional councils cannot impose pre-registration or pre-internship exams without explicit legislative authority. They argue this decision makes PSU’s current examinations legally indefensible.
In response, MP Okot praised the students for peacefully raising their grievances, acknowledging loopholes in the pharmaceutical profession’s regulation.
“The pharmacist’s role is critical for a country facing major health challenges. Addressing these concerns will ensure more young people join the profession on a legal basis. There are questions about payments that were never approved through legitimate processes, and the accountability of those funds must be examined,” Okot said.
He also stressed the need for fairness and standardisation: “If one group of young people is subjected to a process that others are not, where is the fairness? We will follow up to ensure their voices are heard and that Uganda benefits from fully trained professionals ready to serve.”
