NCHE closes seven Team University study centres over non-accreditation

KAMPALA, UGANDA: The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has shut down Team University’s seven learning centres spread in various districts for operating illegally without the body’s accreditation.

According to NCHE Spokesperson Mr Saul Waigolo, NCHE met with the University officials on Monday this week and directed that the unaccredited branches be closed with immediate effect.

He said the learning centres found in Mbale, Iganga, Rukungiri, Hoima, Ntungamo, Fort Portal and Lira had not been accredited to conduct teaching and learning on behalf of the University.

“All learning centres owned by any university are supposed to be accredited independently by the NCHE upon fulfilling the required minimum standards. We have to ensure that they have the infrastructure, the teaching and non-teaching staff and enough equipment to facilitate learning,” Mr Waigolo said.

Mr Waigolo further explained NCHE officials will visit the seven affected centres of Team University to assess whether they have all the requirements before accreditation, adding that as of now, only the main campus will remain open since it is accredited.

Dr James Ssegawa Kiggundu, the Academic Registrar of Team University confirmed in a press release that all facilities originally opened to facilitate distance learning are closed and warned that whoever operates these, does so illegally and strict measures will be applied.

He added that all students from the affected branches will be integrated into the open distance–learning system, although all examinations will be conducted at Team University’s main campus.

“We have applied for accreditation of the branches. NCHE is processing the application. Until these branches are accredited, no admission or teaching is allowed at the space facilities,” Mr Ssegawa said.

NCHE is mandated by the government to accredit and issue licences to all tertiary institutions across the country.

In the past, NCHE closed Lugazi, Soroti, Kayiwa International, and Nsaka universities for either operating illegally or failing to meet minimum standards.

According to the requirements, an institution must possess approved buildings, laboratories, libraries, and accommodation for students and NCHE must accredit all programmes.