Discontent with what is being termed as ‘fake PhDs’ or ‘fake doctorates’ has exploded overboard in Uganda. Not that the rumblings have only begun this year. Over four years ago, rumblings against ‘fake PhDs’ were already in main stream media.

There are two categories of ‘fake PhDs’ that have caused the proverbial storm in the tea cup. Those that are awarded by institutions not accredited to award them. And those that are honorarily awarded.

However, when one reads many of the outcry posts, proliferating mostly on social media, it would appear that many Ugandans are mixing the two categories.

The first category is certainly significantly problematic, in the sense that it purports academic qualifications that the awarding institution is illegitimate to award; de facto a nullity.

The second category suffers simply from a case of historical misrepresentation and perhaps, because of commercialization. Awarded not necessarily for significant contributions in a particular field, but because one can afford to buy the award.

Some are of the view, that just because it was okay in the past for honorary PhD recipients to erroneously apply the title “Dr.” with their name, it should not be questioned now. And this is the focus of this post.

Perhaps, the most prominent case in point in Uganda, is our late past President Apollo Milton Obote with a Doctorate of Law (Hon. Causa).

According to his profile on the Makerere University website, in 1963, Long Island University awarded him the ward of “Honorary Doctor of Law.” And that in 1964, University of Delhi, gave him the same award.

This seemingly denotes that he was a worthy recipient of the two honorary PhDs and he was not necessarily awarded them as part of a financial transaction. He was seemingly deemed deserving of the awards for his contribution in the field of Law.

Whereas, it was not the awarding institution, still Makerere University on its website proffers the title “Dr.” afore his name. Meaning that Makerere University is in breach of accepted norms for identifying recipients of an honorary PhD.

“With regard to the use of this honorific, the policies of institutions of higher education generally ask that recipients refrain from adopting the misleading title and that a recipient of an honorary doctorate should restrict the use of the title “Dr” before their name to any engagement with the institution of higher education in question and not within the broader community.”

Indeed, how he is addressed in his profile on the Makerere University website, is the same as his kin wrote on his grave stone, “Dr. Apollo Milton Obote.”

I, for one, would love it if his kin were to correct the writing on the head stone of his grave to better describe his (Hon. Causa).

“Honorary doctorates are purely titular degrees in that they confer no rights on the recipient and carry with them no formal academic qualification. As such, it is always expected that such degrees be listed in one’s curriculum vitae (CV) as an award, and not in the education section.”

Knowing the academic rigor required for attainment of an academic doctorate, I could not agree more. It is the more transparent and honest way. Why do we have problems with that? It simply clarifies, in order not to mislead.

It is right and fitting that the distinction is made – the award from the academic qualification.

Among our fellow civil society actors, Sarah Bireete, a distinguished trained lawyer by profession, whom London Graduate School in partnership with CommonWealth University awarded an honorary doctorate, has been the focus of significant attacks.

False claims are being made insinuating that her award of an honorary doctorate is fake. Truth is, there is every indication, that the honorary doctorate that she was a warded is legitimate.

And so, if I were, Sarah, a significant civil society actor, awarded “Doctor of Humanities (Hon. Causa),” I would insist on clarifying and distinguishing my award and not inviting questioning of it. I would not use the title “Dr.”

Besides, by using only “Dr.” the public does not get to fully appreciate her contribution for which she was awarded the honorary doctorate; and for which she is deserving.

I clarify. This is not me being dismissive of her contribution. Her contribution to the greater good is admirable and deserving of the award.

By Norah Owaraga. You can find more of her writing on her blog, The Humanist.