It was a weekend of academic triumph for Mbarara University of Science and Technology as Bachelor of Pharmacy students emerged as national champions at the National Pharmacy Students’ Symposium held at Makerere University from April 17–19, 2026.
Competing against leading universities across Uganda, the MUST team was crowned National Quiz Champions, demonstrating outstanding knowledge in pharmacology, global health, and drug regulation. Their performance reaffirmed the university’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence in pharmaceutical sciences.
The symposium brought together pharmacy students from across the country to test academic knowledge, present research, and exchange ideas on innovations shaping the future of healthcare.
In addition to the quiz victory, MUST also secured the Best Research Presentation award, further cementing its strong performance at the event.
A standout moment came when Mugisha Allan Okello was awarded the Best Research & Innovation prize for his study on strengthening health systems through local pharmaceutical production in Sub-Saharan Africa. His work was presented by Dr. Jonans Tusimiire and highlighted the potential of locally driven solutions to improve medicine access and reduce dependency on imports.
University representatives described the double victory as a reflection of MUST’s commitment to community-rooted research and practical training that prepares students to address real-world health challenges.
The achievements add to the university’s growing profile in science and innovation, particularly in the field of pharmaceutical education, where it continues to position itself as a key contributor to Uganda’s health sector transformation.
