Museveni urges universities on STEMs
Museveni says the mismatch between university curriculum and the market demand needs to be addressed as 'we equip learners with skills relevant to the demands of the modern job market'.
The State for Higher Education JC Muyingo (left) speaks as the Chancellor of Islamic Call University College and the Mufti of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Shiekh Shaban Mubajje looks on during the 5th Islamic Call University College graduation at Uganda Muslims Supreme Council in Old Kampala on July 3 2025. (Photos by Ronnie Kijjambu)
By Ronnie Kijjambu
Journalists @New Vision
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President Yoweri Museveni has urged universities and other institutions of higher learning in Uganda to prioritise the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses that can address the challenges of unemployment.
Museveni says the mismatch between university curriculum and the market demand needs to be addressed as 'we equip learners with skills relevant to the demands of the modern job market'.
According to the President, universities should guide the learners to choose courses that are relevant to the job market, emphasising on science and technology courses which are in high demand.
"However, many learners are not choosing these fields because they are not guided effectively".
“There is currently a high demand for doctors, science teachers, nurses, engineers, and ICT experts in the private sector," he says.
He adds that due to the lack of career guidance in schools, few students are choosing science and ICT-based courses.
Graduates bowing after the Chancellor and the Mufti of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Dr. Shaban Mubajje confirm their degrees during the 5th Islamic Call University College graduation at Uganda Muslims Supreme Council in Old Kampala on July 3 2025.
Museveni's message was delivered by higher education state minister John C. Muyingo during the 5th Islamic Call University College graduation at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council headquarters in Old Kampala on July 3 2025, where 235 graduated in different courses.
He said it’s necessary to emphasise curricula that produce university graduates who are skilled and innovative workers who can be absorbed into the labour market.
Muyingo advised graduates to use the knowledge they have acquired to explore opportunities and challenges to make a living.
He told them to avoid drinking alcohol, being promiscuous since AIDS is still with us and being lazy, but always read books, especially the Koran to acquire new ideas.
Mufti of Uganda, who is also the chancellor of the university, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje urged Muslim clergies to upgrade their academic qualifications to match the new UMSC Constitution requirement.
He said the new constitution has set minimum academic qualifications for each particular clergy in all UMSC structures.
Mubajje said the university has come out to rescue the situation by training the new breed of Sheikhs to bridge the gap and paint a new face to the leadership structure of UMSC.