The Ankole Health Students Association–Mulago-AHESAM has petitioned the Ministry of Education and Sports to suspend admissions into health training institutions for diploma courses under the direct Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education-UACE entry scheme for the 2026/2027 academic year.
In a letter dated May 7, 2026, addressed to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, the association raised concerns over the ongoing admission process being conducted through an interview-based system introduced by the Department of Health Education and Training (HET).
AHESAM, which brings together students from districts across the Ankole sub-region, argued that the new admission arrangement could disadvantage eligible candidates seeking placement in health-related programs.
The association said it represents students pursuing various medical and paramedical courses at institutions including the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences (UIAHMS), Makerere Medical School, and Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery.
AHESAM President Canary Barekye criticized the decision to subject students to oral interviews before admission, saying the move contradicts the existing Public Universities Joint Admissions Board-PUJAB and Joint Admissions Board-JAB admission procedures.
Barekye argued that neither the TVET Act nor the National Development Plan IV for 2025/26–2029/2030 provides for interview-based admissions for diploma direct entrants into health training institutions.
Derrick Musiimirwe, a student at Makerere University, explained that under the current system, 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 said the proposed changes have created uncertainty among students, with some unsure whether they qualify for government sponsorship or private admission despite the new semester already commencing.
Another student leader, Timothy Atwine of Kyambogo University, said consultations with education stakeholders, including UNEB, Makerere University and Kyambogo University, indicated that admissions to universities and other tertiary institutions are legally handled by departments responsible for admissions, scholarships and student affairs.
Atwine added that although students had written to several relevant offices seeking intervention, no action had been taken. He noted that the Health Education and Training-HET department under TVET had already released a shortlist of candidates expected to sit oral interviews.
When contacted, the Executive Director of the TVET Council, Moses Kasakya, confirmed receiving the petition and said the matter had been forwarded to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports for appropriate handling.
