Bishop Stuart University
Bishop Stuart University is a private, Anglican-affiliated chartered university in Mbarara, Uganda, delivering NCHE-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five faculties to 5,000+ students via blended online and on-campus learning.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersMbarara, Uganda
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Bishop Stuart University does
Bishop Stuart University (BSU) is a private, not-for-profit chartered university headquartered in Mbarara, Western Uganda, founded in 2002 by the Ankole Diocese of the Province of the Anglican Church of Uganda and granted its charter by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on October 25, 2014. BSU delivers accredited undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and UBTEB programs across five faculties — Faculty of Business, Economics and Governance; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Education, Arts and Media Studies; Faculty of Health Sciences; and Faculty of Agriculture, Environmental Sciences and Technology — along with a Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations. It enrolls 5,000+ students (up from 200 at founding) with four intakes per year (May, August, January, June) and operates a blended learning model combining physical and online delivery.
The university's technology infrastructure comprises an E-Learning portal (vle.bsu.ac.ug), a web-based student portal, a global payments gateway, and a digital library with electronic books, databases, an institutional repository, and off-campus access. Its research footprint includes the One Health Innovations Hub, the Agribusiness Incubation Hub, the AWASH Herbal Drug Project, the RETI initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation, and collaborations with RUFORUM, NARO, and Agrostudies Israel. International pathways include a Graduate Express Pathway with Trinity Western University (Canada).
Revenue is generated primarily through student tuition and academic fees (subscription/annual billing), supplemented by student services and accommodation fees, HESFB-sponsored student financing, and research and project grants. Customer segments are predominantly domestic Ugandan students, with secondary segments in East African international students, secondary-school prospective students reached through outreach programs, and refugee and host-community youth under the RETI project. Marketing is executed via the institutional website, social media, regional higher education exhibitions, school outreach tours, and traditional open days. The institution is ranked 4th among private universities in Uganda by Webometrics (July 2025) and is governed by a Board of Trustees under the Anglican Church with executive leadership headed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Francis Mugisha (appointed July 1, 2024).
Bishop Stuart University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bishop Stuart University
- Legal name
- Bishop Stuart University
- Website
- https://bsu.ac.ug
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Bishop Stuart University is a private, Anglican-affiliated chartered university in Mbarara, Uganda, delivering NCHE-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five faculties to 5,000+ students via blended online and on-campus learning.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bishop Stuart University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD)
Keywords
Where Bishop Stuart University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mbarara
- HQ country
- Uganda
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Bishop Stuart University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition fees across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs. Programs are accredited by NCHE and include various delivery modes.
- Student Services and Facilities: Fees from accommodation, student services, and other ancillary university services
- Research and Project Grants: Funding from research projects including RETI (Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment and Transformation Initiative) with support from Mastercard Foundation, and other collaborative research initiatives
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Tuition fees vary by program level and type |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Bishop Stuart University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bishop Stuart University delivers accredited tertiary education services in Uganda, enrolling students in undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs across five faculties (Business/Economics/Governance, Law, Education/Arts/Media Studies, Health Sciences, Agriculture/Environmental Sciences/Technology). Academic programs are offered through blended online and physical delivery under an Open Distance Learning (ODeL) model, supported by an e-learning portal, digital library, student portal, and payments gateway, with clinical training partnerships for Health Sciences students.
Product overview
Bishop Stuart University (BSU) is a private, not-for-profit university offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs and institutional services. The university operates through its main campus in Mbarara, Uganda, providing undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five faculties (Faculty of Business, Economics and Governance; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Education, Arts and Media Studies; Faculty of Health Sciences; Faculty of Agriculture, Environmental Sciences and Technology), along with a Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations. BSU's service infrastructure includes an E-Learning portal (vle.bsu.ac.ug), University Library with online catalogue and institutional repository, Student Portal, Payments portal, and Research Ethics Committee services. The university offers blended mode delivery combining online and physical learning, with programs accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Academic Programmes (Five Faculties)
Companies that use Bishop Stuart University
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Bishop Stuart University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Bishop Stuart University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Trinity Western University (Canada)corePartnership for Graduate Express Pathway (GEP) allowing BSU students to study in Uganda and qualify for Canadian Master of Arts programs in Leadership. Includes establishment of FAR Center for facilitated academic resource.
- Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)coreCollaboration in agricultural research and capacity building across African universities. BSU is part of RUFORUM network supporting graduate training and research.
- Makerere UniversitycoreLong-standing partnership with Uganda's premier university for academic collaboration, research, and student exchanges.
- Uganda Christian University (UCU)coreBSU was originally affiliated to UCU when founded in 2002. Continued collaboration with UCU as both are Anglican Church-founded institutions.
- Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST)coreCollaboration with nearby science and technology university for research and academic programs in western Uganda region.
- Kyambogo UniversityminorPartnership for academic programs and research collaboration in Uganda's higher education sector.
- National Council for Higher Education (NCHE)coreRegulatory body that licensed BSU (2006) and granted charter (2014). BSU programs are accredited by NCHE.
- Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB)coreGovernment body providing student loans. BSU offers HESFB-sponsored programs allowing students to access financing for education.
- PUM Netherlands Senior ExpertsminorDutch senior experts providing expertise and consulting for business development and entrepreneurship support.
- Excel Hort Consult Agribusiness IncubatorcoreAgribusiness incubation hub partnership supporting student entrepreneurs and agricultural innovation projects.
- AVSI Foundation (SKY Project)minorCollaboration on SKY Project for development initiatives and community engagement programs.
- National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)minorPartnership for agricultural research collaboration in Uganda's agricultural sector.
- Agrostudies IsraelminorInternational agricultural education program enabling students to gain practical experience in Israel.
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH)coreClinical training partnerships for Faculty of Health Sciences students for practical hospital experience.
- Ureka Global Innovation Hub (UGIH)minorInnovation and entrepreneurship support partnership for student startups and business incubation.
- St. John's University of TanzaniaminorRegional East African partnership for academic collaboration with sister Anglican university.
- University of Dar es SalaamminorRegional partnership with Tanzania's largest university for research and academic exchange.
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)minorPartnership with African science and technology institute for research collaboration.
- Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)minorPartnership with Uganda's Islamic university for interfaith academic collaboration.
- Operation Wealth CreationminorGovernment program partnership for community development and agricultural extension services.
- Makerere University Business SchoolminorPartnership with MUBS for business education collaboration and research.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bishop Stuart University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Makerere University: Uganda's flagship public research university with whom BSU maintains a long-standing academic partnership. Serves as the premier incumbent across virtually all faculties BSU offers.
- University of Dar es Salaam: Tanzania's flagship public university partnered with BSU for academic exchange. Represents the broader East African incumbent for students BSU courts through regional exhibitions.
Direct peers
- Mbarara University of Science & Technology: Public university located in the same Mbarara catchment, offering overlapping faculties including Health Sciences and serving the same regional student pool with strong public-sector credibility.
- Uganda Christian University: Sister Anglican Church-founded university in Uganda. BSU was originally affiliated with UCU and shares a denominational Christ-centered education model with overlapping program portfolios and student segments.
- Kampala International University: Large private Ugandan university with multi-campus footprint and a comparable diversified faculty offering, competing for the same regional student base and international pathway market.
- Kyambogo University: Major Ugandan public university with overlapping faculties (Education, Business, Law) and a partnership with BSU; competes for similar students and employer recognition in central/eastern Uganda.
- Cavendish University Uganda: Private university in Uganda where BSU's current Vice-Chancellor previously served. Comparable private higher education model targeting domestic and regional students with similar tuition-funded economics.
- Mountains of the Moon University: Private Ugandan university with comparable tuition-funded model and faculty mix; competes in the same domestic higher education market as BSU, particularly for western/upcountry students.
- Islamic University in Uganda: Faith-founded private university in Uganda partnering with BSU for interfaith academic collaboration; offers overlapping programs in Health, Education, and Business to a similar student segment.
Regional players
- St. John's University of Tanzania: Regional East African peer and sister Anglican institution partnering with BSU. Operates in Tanzania with similar denominational mission, providing a regional benchmark for Anglican higher education.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bishop Stuart University social profiles
Digital presenceBishop Stuart University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bishop Stuart University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Bishop Stuart University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bishop Stuart University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bishop Stuart University
What does Bishop Stuart University do?
Bishop Stuart University delivers accredited tertiary education services in Uganda, enrolling students in undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs across five faculties (Business/Economics/Governance, Law, Education/Arts/Media Studies, Health Sciences, Agriculture/Environmental Sciences/Technology). Academic programs are offered through blended online and physical delivery under an Open Distance Learning (ODeL) model, supported by an e-learning portal, digital library, student portal, and payments gateway, with clinical training partnerships for Health Sciences students.
Is Bishop Stuart University a public or private company?
Bishop Stuart University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Bishop Stuart University founded?
Bishop Stuart University was founded in 2002. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Bishop Stuart University based?
Bishop Stuart University is headquartered in Mbarara, Uganda, in the Africa region.
How does Bishop Stuart University make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Fees are the primary driver. The others are student Services and Facilities and research and Project Grants.
Who are Bishop Stuart University's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Makerere University and University of Dar es Salaam. Direct peers are Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Uganda Christian University, Kampala International University, Kyambogo University, Cavendish University Uganda, Mountains of the Moon University and Islamic University in Uganda. St. John's University of Tanzania is listed as a regional player.
Does Bishop Stuart University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bishop Stuart University.
What industry is Bishop Stuart University in?
Bishop Stuart University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAKAM, Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical), with a secondary code of EDAHAKAG, Christian Colleges with Theological Programs. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.