Kampala, Uganda – The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is facing growing criticism after issuing a certificate of academic equivalence to senior army officer General Rwashande Emmanuel, validating his military training as equivalent to Uganda’s Advanced Level (A-Level) education, despite the absence of standard academic credentials.
The certificate, dated June 19, 2025, confirms that Gen. Rwashande has attained qualifications deemed equivalent to A-Level through a combination of military courses and practical experience. According to the document, his recognized qualifications include:
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A Diploma in Defense and Strategic Studies from the National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army (2007)
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Basic Military Training Course, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (1982)
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Company Commanders Course, Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (1998)
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Exposure to university-level textbooks
However, critics note that the certificate was granted without any publicly available A-Level or O-Level transcripts, and notably, no birth certificate was submitted—raising questions about both academic and legal eligibility.
The NCHE’s decision comes just days before the start of nominations for parliamentary candidates, prompting speculation that the certification may have been politically motivated. The certificate was issued under Section 4(b) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which allows for equivalency recognition for candidates seeking elective office.
Observers argue the process lacked transparency and circumvented established academic standards.
“You’re telling us this is someone vying for public office, yet there’s no A-Level certificate, no O-Level transcript — and can’t he at least present a birth certificate?” asked veteran journalist and political analyst Daniel Kalinaki.
The decision has sparked debate in academic and civil society circles about the precedent it sets. Critics argue that recognizing military short courses as equivalent to formal academic training risks undermining the credibility of Uganda’s education system.
“Military service is honorable, but it’s not the same as sitting UNEB exams,” said a lecturer from Makerere University’s School of Education, speaking on condition of anonymity. “These shortcuts degrade the value of structured education.”
In response to the backlash, an NCHE official who preferred to speak off the record insisted that the council followed legal procedures in issuing the certificate.
“We don’t create the law — we interpret and apply it. If a candidate can demonstrate equivalent training and experience, the Act allows us some discretion,” the official stated.
Still, the lack of supporting documents has fueled public speculation over Gen. Rwashande’s age, academic background, and true eligibility to contest in the upcoming elections.
As the debate intensifies, education advocates are calling for a review of the Parliamentary Elections Act to tighten the criteria for academic equivalence and prevent possible abuse. Meanwhile, opposition politicians and civil society organizations are demanding full disclosure of the documentation used in Rwashande’s assessment.
With the 2026 general elections on the horizon, the controversy could be an early test of Uganda’s commitment to transparent vetting and electoral fairness.
