Uganda Christian University (UCU) hosted the 77th General Meeting of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum at its main campus in Mukono, bringing together university leaders from across the country to deliberate on the future of higher education in Uganda. The meeting drew representatives from 55 of the 60 registered universities, including leaders from both public and private institutions.

The Forum, which has been operational for 25 years, serves as a key platform for Vice Chancellors to address pressing issues affecting the higher education sector.

Speaking on the key outcomes of the gathering, UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi said the forum focused on several critical matters, chief among them the transition to Competence-Based Education (CBE) in universities. Prof. Mushengyezi explained that all universities are now preparing to receive learners trained under the competence-based system at lower levels of education.

He noted that the government has given universities one year to prepare for this transition, a process that requires institutions to realign their curricula, retrain academic staff, and rethink learning environments, including laboratories and practical training spaces.

Prof. Mushengyezi described CBE as a positive development for the sector, emphasising that the model is designed to equip learners with practical, hands-on skills and the competencies needed to thrive in the modern workforce. While acknowledging that the one-year preparation period is relatively short—given that the government spent several years developing the new curriculum framework—he expressed confidence that universities would rise to the challenge.

Under government directives, universities are expected to fully adopt competence-based programmes by the 2027/2028 academic year, a move aimed at improving graduate employability, innovation, and practical problem-solving skills.

Also addressing the forum was Prof. James Njiru, Executive Director and CEO of the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), who highlighted the role of regional collaboration in strengthening higher education and community development. Prof. Njiru explained that the institute, established in 2000 through a partnership between the governments of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), works to build capacity across the region by training professionals and strengthening universities’ ability to address development challenges, including poverty reduction, health, and agricultural transformation.

He noted that AICAD works closely with universities to promote value addition in sectors such as agriculture, while supporting community-based initiatives that translate academic research into practical solutions.

The Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum is chaired by Prof. Paul Wako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University. Eriabu Lugujjo serves as the Executive Director.