Since the year 2003, the Archdiocese of Mbarara has been committed to starting a University as part of its mission, and mandate of the church to establish educational institutions of different levels to share in the Salvific Ministry of Christ by being the salt and light of the world.
The process and project to found a Diocesan University was entrusted to the intercession of St. Joseph and hence the consequent University was planned to be called University of Saint Joseph Mbarara (USJM).
After meeting all requirements to establish and operate a private University, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHIE) at its 45th Council meeting of 27 November 2017 granted USJM a provisional license and accredited 11 academic programmes to be ran by it.
They include, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSc. IT), Bachelor of Arts with Education Secondary (BASS), Bachelor of Education Primary (BEP) Bachelor of Public Administrative Science and Management (BPASM), Bachelor of Ethics and Development Studies (BEDS) and Bachelor of Office Mgt & Secretarial Studies (BOMSS). Diploma courses are: Diploma in Education Primary (DEP), Diploma in Business Administration and Management (DBAM), Diploma in Computer Science (DCS) and Diploma in Development Studies (DDS).
Many other relevant courses will be designed and taught by the university as it advances.