Kyambogo University has warned that thousands of diploma holders are being locked out of opportunities to upgrade to bachelor’s degrees due to limited university capacity, calling for urgent government intervention to expand access to higher education.
Speaking to journalists on Monday , the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya, said this year’s admissions exposed a growing national challenge, with demand for degree programmes far outstripping available places, particularly among diploma graduates seeking to advance their qualifications.
Under the government diploma and certificate entry scheme, only 171 students were admitted from 2,270 applicants, while under the private diploma entry scheme, 1,292 students secured admission out of 5,092 applicants.
Prof. Katunguka said the shortage of places was particularly worrying because many diploma holders are already in employment and need bachelor’s degrees to meet evolving professional requirements.
He singled out engineering and teacher education as some of the most affected fields, noting that the implementation of the national teacher policy requiring graduate qualifications has further increased demand for university places.
“We have a major problem as a country because every year tertiary institutions graduate thousands of diploma holders who want to upgrade, but the opportunities available are limited,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor called on the Ministry of Education and Sports, public universities and private institutions to develop alternative pathways that would enable more diploma holders to pursue degree programmes.
He suggested partnerships with accredited private universities to expand training opportunities, especially in engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, where demand remains high.
Prof. Katunguka said the affected applicants already possess the academic qualifications and practical skills required to continue their education but are constrained by inadequate capacity at public universities.
The Vice-Chancellor made the remarks while announcing the completion of Kyambogo University’s admissions for the 2026/27 academic year.
He revealed that the university admitted students through several entry schemes, including government sponsorship, direct entry, diploma and certificate entry, sports talent and admissions for persons with disabilities.
According to Prof. Katunguka, 386 students secured admission under the government-sponsored national merit scheme, while 19,406 direct-entry students were admitted from 32,390 applicants.
Overall, the university received 43,739 applications but could only admit 22,655 students, reflecting growing demand for university education amid limited infrastructure.
Prof. Katunguka attributed the increase in applications to improved governance and stability at Kyambogo University, saying the institution had overcome the strikes that previously disrupted academic programmes.
“Parents want to take their children to institutions where they are confident they will study and complete their programmes on time,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said graduate admissions are still underway and expressed optimism that the university would enrol another large cohort of postgraduate students.
He noted that despite the high demand for admission, Kyambogo would reopen as scheduled, with first-year students reporting on August 1 and continuing students on August 8.
Prof. Katunguka also dismissed recent social media reports claiming the university was closing, describing the information as false and misleading.
He said the rumours had caused anxiety among students, parents and other stakeholders, prompting the university to issue a public clarification.
“There has been no discussion of closing the university. We are operating normally and preparing to receive students for the new semester,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the media and the public to verify information before sharing it, noting that decisions affecting public universities are made through established legal and governance structures and cannot be implemented without formally informing stakeholders.
