Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to intervene immediately in a dispute involving Ndejje University's failure to release academic transcripts and certificates to 102 former students.
The directive follows a formal petition presented to Parliament on Wednesday by Oyam County North MP, Hon. Eunice Apio, on behalf of Ms. Tamali Okao, the former Director of St. Stephen Nursery Teachers' College in Lira.
The affected graduates completed their studies between 2017 and 2022. According to the petition, Ndejje University has withheld their academic credentials despite the affiliate college clearing all outstanding financial obligations in May 2023.
St. Stephen Nursery Teachers' College operated under an affiliation agreement with Ndejje University from 2015 to 2022 to comply with national regulatory frameworks. The financial backlog developed after delayed government remittances for 18 Karimojong students under a state sponsorship scheme created temporary arrears, which the college subsequently settled.
Hon. Apio informed the House that previous engagements with both Ndejje University administration and the National Council for Higher Education yielded no resolution. Consequently, affected graduates remain unable to obtain employment or pursue further education without official proof of qualification.
“That the expected remittances from government were never compensated to date causing the institution to accrue unpaid dues with Ndejje University,” Hon. Apio said.
The petitioners are demanding the immediate release of the transcripts, an official inquiry into similar academic withholding practices nationwide, institutional reimbursement for the government-sponsored students' costs, and regulatory measures to handle future disputes between universities and affiliate colleges.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa referred the matter to the Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, ordering a swift administrative resolution and a formal parliamentary update.
“The minister can take quick action and report back to this House on Wednesday,” Deputy Speaker Tayebwa said.
Responding to the directive, Minister Ogwang committed to addressing the dispute and urged affected individuals to bring similar grievances to the ministry.
“I have asked the committee that we will handle these issues on Tuesday, if I had this information early enough, I would have come with a response,” Minister Ogwang said.
He noted that the ministry is concurrently resolving a related dispute at Kyambogo University involving incorrect academic document awards.
