Pressure Mounts on Education Ministry as Ankole Students Reject New Interview-Based Admission System

MBARARA CITY — Students from the Ankole sub-region pursuing health-related courses have petitioned the Ministry of Education and Sports, demanding the suspension of the proposed interview-based admission system for diploma health courses for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The students, operating under the Ankole Health Students Association-Mulago (AHESAM), argue that the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) department introduced the new system without proper legal backing.

AHESAM, which brings together students from 13 districts in the Ankole sub-region, including Mbarara City, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Kiruhura, and Ibanda, says the proposed admission process contradicts the established procedure used for Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) candidates.

Speaking to journalists in Mbarara City on Tuesday, AHESAM President Canary Barekye criticized the move to subject students to oral interviews before admission, saying it conflicts with the current Public Universities Joint Admissions Board (PUJAB) and Joint Admissions Board (JAB) application procedures.

Barekye maintained that neither the TVET Act nor the National Development Plan IV for 2025/26–2029/30 provides for interview-based admissions for diploma direct entrants into health training institutions.

“We believe the proposed system is unfair and has created fear and uncertainty among students seeking admission into health institutions,” Barekye said.

Derrick Musiimirwe, a student at Makerere University, explained that under the current arrangement, Senior Six candidates only fill out admission forms indicating their preferred courses and institutions, after which successful applicants are admitted based on academic performance.

He noted that the proposed changes have left many students confused, with some still uncertain whether they qualify for government sponsorship or private admission despite the new semester already beginning.

Another student leader, Timothy Atwine of Kyambogo University, said consultations with education stakeholders, including UNEB, Makerere University, and Kyambogo University, revealed that admissions to universities and other tertiary institutions are handled by departments responsible for admissions, scholarships, and student affairs.

Atwine added that although the students had written to several relevant offices seeking intervention, no action had been taken.

He further revealed that the Health Education and Training (HET) department under TVET had already released a shortlist of candidates expected to sit oral interviews.

When contacted, Moses Kasakya, the Executive Director of the TVET Council, confirmed receiving the petition and said the matter had been forwarded to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports for appropriate handling.

The students are now calling upon the Ministry to suspend the proposed interview-based admission system until wider consultations are conducted with all stakeholders in the education sector.