Ruaha University College (RUCO) was established by the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) under its Trust Deed of the Registered Trustees of Ruaha University College who are the trustees of SAUT, through the generous support of well wishers (friends of RUCO) within and outside the Country.

The College is governed and administered in accordance with the Catholic Church Policy on Higher Education Institutions – Excorde Ecclesiae and the provisions of the constitution establishing constituent college of St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT).

Nonetheless, RUCO is a Private and Secular institution of higher learning that is wide open to all regardless of their faiths or religious affiliations. It does not discriminate on other grounds such as race, ethnicity, gender, disability or caste.