Victoria University Receives Accreditation to Award Law Degrees.
Victoria University has officially received the green light to admit students into its Law degree program. This exciting development allows the institution to admit 81 students per year to the Law degree program for the next nine academic years.
National Council for Higher Education Approval
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has approved three new programs at Victoria University, including the Bachelor of Laws. This approval was confirmed in a letter dated July 12, addressed to Victoria University’s Vice-Chancellor, Lawrence Muganga, by NCHE Executive Director Mary Okwakol. The letter conveyed the decision made during the NCHE’s 76th meeting held on July 10, 2024.
“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 Prof. Okwakol.
The newly accredited programs at Victoria University include:
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Events and Hospitality Management
Diploma in Events and Hospitality Management
A Landmark Achievement
Victoria University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, expressed his joy over the accreditation. Describing it as “great news,” he extended an invitation to prospective law students to join the program and become part of the esteemed legal fraternity. “Ugandans are invited to join Victoria University and become part of the esteemed legal fraternity,” he said.
Dr. Muganga highlighted the innovative nature of the LLB program, which goes beyond traditional legal education by offering additional expertise in digital mastery and AI proficiency.
Compliance and Monitoring
The accreditation from NCHE comes with a caution. Under section 119(A) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Victoria University must not run any academic programs that it has not accredited. Prof. Okwakol emphasized the need for compliance, urging staff members to implement the programs in accordance with NCHE regulations.
“Please urge your staff members to implement these programmes in accordance with the regulations of NCHE,” she said. “Officers of the NCHE shall review the implementation during their periodic administrative and monitoring visits to your institution.”
Expanding Legal Education in Uganda
This accreditation marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time in nearly ten years that NCHE has accredited an institution of higher learning to teach Law programs. Victoria University now joins an exclusive list of 12 institutions in Uganda authorized to award a Bachelor of Laws Degree. Other notable institutions 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
- Cavendish University.
With this accreditation, Victoria University is poised to contribute significantly to legal education in Uganda. The institution’s commitment to providing a modern and comprehensive legal education ensures that graduates are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the evolving legal landscape. Prospective law students are encouraged to seize this opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking program at Victoria University.