The government has given universities and other institutions of higher learning up to the 2027/2028 academic year to fully align their teaching programmes with the national competence-based curriculum, marking a major shift in the country’s higher education landscape.
The directive was issued by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, whose speech was delivered by Mr Timothy Musoke Ssejjoba, the Acting Commissioner for University Education and Training, during the 8th graduation ceremony of Muni University on November 29.
Government rolled out the competence-based curriculum in February 2020, starting with the Lower Secondary Curriculum (LSC) in a phased approach.
The curriculum is intended to move Uganda away from a purely knowledge-based, exam-oriented education system to one that prioritises practical skills, critical thinking and innovation for 21st-century competitiveness.
‘As a ministry, we are on an ambitious journey to fully implement the competence-based curriculum. This is a transformation in how we teach and learn, moving from simply acquiring knowledge to demonstrating capability,’ Mr Ssejjoba said. ‘It focuses on critical thinking and problem solving, creativity, innovation, collaboration, digital literacy and practical skills needed in the real world.’
He emphasised that universities must now ensure their academic programmes prepare learners with the competencies currently demanded by industries.
‘Our goal is not only to produce learners who are knowledgeable but capable,’ he said. ‘All programmes in universities must directly align with the country’s competence-based curriculum by the start of the 2027/2028 academic year. Universities like Muni should serve as a bridge between foundational skills and advanced competencies demanded by industries.’
During the ceremony, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, represented by State Minister for Investment and Privatisation Evelyn Anite, urged students to shun reckless behaviour and instead focus on technology, creativity and entrepreneurship.
‘I urge you to abstain from recklessness and dangerous lifestyles such as drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, extravagant spending and others,’ the President said. He stressed that discipline and innovation remain key to achieving Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
‘In this journey, institutions like Muni play a vital role through programmes in Science, Technology, Health, Agriculture, Education and ICT. They should breed thinkers and practitioners who can lead our country into a more competitive and equitable future.’
The graduation ceremony was presided over by the university’s Chancellor, retired Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi.
Several graduates shared their experiences.
Michael Abusa, who completed a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, said his research focused on predicting refugee arrivals in Rhino Camp.
‘The research feeds into refugee work and can support planning before emergencies occur. Communities need to embrace technology to understand the problems,’ he said.
Night Zahara, a graduate of Tourism and Management Science, said she pursued the course after observing limited exploitation of tourism potential in West Nile and poor connectivity in the sector.
Despite growing student numbers, Muni University continues to grapple with inadequate staffing. According to the administration, the institution currently operates at only 24.4 percent staffing capacity, out of 305 staff, half of whom are academic employees. The Ministry of Education estimates that Shs8.2 billion is required to close the staffing gap.
‘Madam Guest of Honor, our population has expontially kept growing, we started with 722 students, and in last academic year, and currently our enrollment is 3142 students, thus we are request government to give us more support to admit the growing numbers of students. Our staffing levels stands only at 24.4% which is very low’- vice chancellor Prof Simon Anguma Katrini
482 students graduated in various disciplines including diploma in education leadership and management, Masters of Science in artificial intelligence and Masters in Climate change and disaster management among others.
322 of the grandaunts are males representing 66.9 per cent while 159 are females represent 33. 1 per cent.