PRESS RELEASE: Public Alert – HEA Declares “The University of Muchinga” An Illegal Institution
Issued on 19th December, 2025
Issued by Mr. Birbal Boniface Musoba
Corporate Communications Officer
Higher Education Authority
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has issued a public alert advising members of the public not to enrol in an institution operating under the name The University of Muchinga, as it is not registered or recognised under the Higher Education Act, 2013.
This follows a surge in public enquiries and online advertisements promoting admissions for the 2026 academic year under the said name. Acting on these concerns, the Authority, through its Inspectorate Unit, conducted a verification exercise which confirmed that The University of Muchinga is offering and advertising higher education services without lawful registration.
The Higher Education Act, 2013 is explicit as it states under Part IV, Section 15 (1), that no person may operate a private higher education institution unless the institution is registered under the Act. Therefore, any entity operating outside this framework is acting illegally.
The Authority reminds the public that contravention of this provision is a criminal offence. In accordance with Section 15 (2) of the Act, offenders are liable, upon conviction, to a fine of up to one million penalty units, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.
HEA has commended members of the public for their growing vigilance in verifying the legitimacy of institutions before enrolling. Such public engagement has become a critical early-warning mechanism that enables the Authority to act swiftly against illegal operators and safeguard the integrity of Zambia’s higher education system.
The Authority reiterates that qualifications obtained from unregistered institutions or from unaccredited learning programmes are not recognised in Zambia. Enrolment in such institutions exposes students to significant academic, professional, and financial risk.
As at December 2025, Zambia has 207 registered and recognised Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), comprising 41 Public HEIs and 166 Private HEIs, broken down as follows:
- Public HEIs – 38
- Intergovernmental – 1
- Public Institutions for Specialised Training of Professionals in a Specified Field – 4
- Public Colleges – 25
- Public Technical University Colleges – 1
- Public Universities – 10
- Private HEIs – 166
- Private Institutions for Specialised Training of Professionals in a Specified Field – 6
- Private Colleges – 93
- Private Technical Colleges – 1
- Private University Colleges – 17
- Private Universities – 49
This list is dynamic and subject to change as institutions are registered, upgraded, or sanctioned. Therefore, members of the public are strongly encouraged to verify:
- Registered and recognised HEIs: https://heaims.hea.org.zm/frontend/web/site/institutions
- Accredited learning programmes: https://heaims.hea.org.zm/frontend/web/site/programmes
- HEI registration process: https://hea.org.zm/heis-2/hei-registration-process/
Further verification can be done by emailing info@hea.org.zm or calling (+260) 976 936 658.
The Higher Education Authority remains resolute in its mandate of “Ensuring Quality in Higher Education” and will continue to take firm enforcement action against any institution or individual operating outside the law. The protection of students, public trust, and the credibility of Zambia’s higher education sector remains paramount.
Media Files Downloads:
- PDF copy of the Press Release: https://hea.org.zm/download/pdf-hea-press-release_the-university-of-muchinga-an-illegal-institution/?wpdmdl=10378&refresh=6945490f973751766148367
- MP3 audio of the Press Release: https://hea.org.zm/download/mp3-hea-press-release_the-university-of-muchinga-an-illegal-institution/?wpdmdl=10379&refresh=694548e9d61651766148329
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