NCHE issues stricter guidelines on the use of Honorary Doctorates

The NCHE, mandated to regulate higher education in Uganda, issued a press release today, May 7, 2025, addressing growing concerns about how individuals acquire and utilize honorary degrees from both local and international universities. Professor Kiwesiga pointed to previous guidance issued in July 2023, noting a continued trend of recipients using the title “Doctor” (Dr.).

“It is against this background and based on the guidelines on honorary doctorates that NCHE wishes to guide,” Professor Kiwesiga stated in the release. She clarified that Honoris Causa degrees are awarded to honor individuals for significant contributions or philanthropic efforts, following an assessment of their impact.

Professor Kiwesiga outlined that in Uganda, only chartered universities and degree-awarding institutions (both public and private) are authorized to confer these honors. Recipients may or may not hold prior academic qualifications.

A key point stressed by Professor Kiwesiga is that honorary degrees are not academic awards and cannot be used for academic, professional, or work-related purposes.

The NCHE Chairperson detailed the criteria for bestowing honorary doctorates, including extraordinary contributions to academia or society, an established international reputation in an academic field, and significant contributions to the awarding institution’s objectives.

Professor Kiwesiga also specified the three categories of honorary degrees in Uganda: Doctor of Laws (LLD), Doctor of Letters (DLitt.), and Doctor of Sciences (DSc.). She underscored that the designation should clearly indicate the category and must not include “PhD.“ Furthermore, recipients must denote the honorary nature of their award in their title (e.g., “Daniel Musheke, LLD (Hon. Causa)”) and should not be addressed as “Doctor.”

Professor Kiwesiga affirmed that these guidelines extend to honorary doctorates awarded by foreign institutions seeking recognition in Uganda.

“All higher education stakeholders and the general public are advised to adhere to the above guidance to avoid embarrassment,” Professor Kiwesiga concluded. The NCHE has invited inquiries for further clarification.