National Council of Higher Education grants Clarke International University a Charter

Clarke International University has been granted a charter, a major milestone for an institution that was founded in 2008.

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) confirmed the development in a letter dated 11^th July 2025, addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of Clarke International University.

“H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda has approved and granted Clarke International University a Charter,” said Professor Mary J. N Okwakol, the Executive Director NCHE.

The NCHE stated in their letter that the charter will now be handed over to the Uganda Gazette for publication.

“Please note that the Charter will be presented to the Uganda Gazette for purposes of publication. We shall furnish a copy of the legal Notice once published,” the letter reads in part.

The Chancellor, CIU Prof. Moses Kalukande while expressing gratitude to stakeholders and partners said, "Let us move forward with renewed vision and vigor as we embrace the responsibility that comes with this Charter: to expand access, deepen our impact, and sustain a culture of excellence that inspires future generations. Congratulations to us all!"

Clarke International University According to experts, the chart

er being granted by the President of Uganda, means the university has been cleared by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), which signifies that the university has met the required standards and is comparable to public universities in Uganda allowing the institute to award all degrees, including Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, and Honorary degrees. 

Letter from NCHE

 According to the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act, a charter is "granted by the president as evidence that the university meets the requirements and standards of academic excellence set by the NCHE."

Furthermore, according to Section 103(a) of the same Act 2001 as amended, a chartered university is a university comparable to a public university.

Obtaining a charter for any private university means that it lays out guidelines for the institution's establishment, control, management, and administration.

In 2020, the university moved to a new home located in Bukasa-Muyenga old stone quarry where the founder, Dr. Ian Clarke, said that besides permanence and space, was also qualifying for charter, which he said was the first bold reason to own a building and satisfy the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

“There is another reason for why this University has its own building because when you have your own building, you qualify for charter and we wanted to be a chartered University, we have been licensed but there are few private universities that obtain a charter so that’s why” Dr. Ian said

CIU was formerly located at 4686 St. Barnabas Road, Namuwongo, and a southeastern section of Kampala for 10 years. Notably, the IHSU’s campus was located on the top floor of the building that houses International Hospital Kampala (IHK).

On Friday 11, September 2020, CIU officially opened their permanent campus and held a scientific function that was honoured by Bishop Zac Niringiye, Clarke International University Chancellor, who did the groundbreaking nine months ago.

CIU team in a group ohoto