The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Uganda has issued a strong warning regarding the misuse of honorary doctorates, urging recipients not to use the title “Doctor” in official or professional contexts.
In a press statement released this week, NCHE pointed out that many individuals who have received honorary degrees—whether from local or international institutions—have inappropriately adopted the “Dr.” title, prompting the council to reiterate its guidelines.
The council emphasized that honorary degrees (Honoris Causa) are symbolic and not equivalent to academic qualifications. As such, they are not to be used for academic, employment, or professional purposes.
NCHE clarified that only licensed institutions such as public universities, private chartered universities, and recognized degree-granting bodies are authorized to issue honorary doctorates. These typically include Doctor of Laws (LLD), Doctor of Letters (DLitt), and Doctor of Science (DSc), awarded in recognition of significant contributions to society or academia.
The council stressed that these degrees should not be labeled as PhDs and must be clearly identified as honorary. For example, a recipient should be referred to as “Daniel Musheke, LLD (Hon. Causa),” rather than using the “Dr.” title or presenting the award as a PhD.
Foreign honorary degrees must also meet NCHE standards to be recognized in Uganda.
NCHE urged academics, journalists, and the general public to refrain from calling honorary degree recipients “Doctor,” whether in writing or conversation. The statement, signed by NCHE Chairperson Professor Joy C. Kwesiga, calls for strict adherence to these regulations.
Uganda’s directive aligns with similar policies in other countries, including Malawi, where the national higher education council recently warned against using honorary titles as academic credentials. The Malawian council emphasized that honorary degrees do not justify the use of the “Dr.” title and cautioned the public and media against misusing them.
In both Uganda and Malawi, the issue has drawn criticism, particularly when public figures adopt the “Doctor” title after receiving honorary degrees. These moves are part of a broader effort to uphold academic standards and preserve the credibility of academic qualifications across the continent.
