Stawa varsity illegal - NCHE

KAMPALA

The National Council for Higher Education (NHCE) has declared the Ntinda/Nakawa-based Stawa University illegal.

In a notice issued yesterday, NCHE says the university, which is said to be setting up a bigger branch in Luweero District, was established without a provisional licence charter as required by section 118(1) of the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001.

“It has come to the attention of the NCHE that an entity called ‘Stawa University’ has breached the provision of the law… by illegally running as a university and in that regard has illegally collected fees and enrolled students on unaccredited courses…,” Prof. Moses Golola, the NCHE deputy executive director, said.

He added: “Any qualification obtained from Stawa University is null and void and will, therefore, not be recognised by this council. The unsuspecting students who are enrolled in this illegal entity should take note of this.”

The university’s website indicates that 27 courses are offered in addition to provision of tuition support and international exchange programmes to its students.

The tuition fees range from Shs200,000 for a certificate course and Shs350,000 for diploma courses to Shs650,000 for degree courses. But an official, who only identified herself as Lisa, said: “We are not yet a registered university. We do not have any students and our lawyers are in contact with Uneb to have us registered,”.

Only the NCHE has the mandate to register institutions of higher learning.

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