Uganda’s public universities are grappling with severe understaffing, with some institutions operating with as little as 10 percent of their required academic personnel.
The revelation was made by Remigio Achia, Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Budget Committee, while presenting the report on the 2026/27 National Budget Framework Paper.
“Most public universities are grossly understaffed, with some institutions operating below 20 percent staffing levels,” Achia said.
According to the committee’s findings, Busitema University has the lowest staffing level at just 10 percent. Muni University stands at 15.65 percent, Soroti University at 19 percent, and Kabale University at 24.6 percent.
Makerere University, the country’s oldest public university, is operating at 39.63 percent staffing level, while Kyambogo University is at 34 percent and requires an additional Shs28.5 billion to address wage shortfalls.
The committee recommended that government commits to resolving the persistent staffing gaps, with a target of raising academic staffing to at least 50 percent across public universities.
Lawmakers warned that the shortages have led to heavy reliance on part-time tutors and lecturers, a trend that risks compromising the quality of teaching, supervision and academic research.
Universities are also struggling to recruit and retain senior academic staff, with many professionals opting for better-paying opportunities in the private sector or abroad.
The committee noted that without deliberate investment in academic staffing, the country’s higher education system could face long-term strain, affecting graduate quality and national development goals.