Universities race to meet competence-based education deadline

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Uganda’s universities are accelerating efforts to align with the government’s shift to Competence-Based Education (CBE), even as concerns grow over funding gaps and the tight implementation timeline.

The transition was a central focus of the 77th General Meeting of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum held at Uganda Christian University, where leaders discussed practical ways institutions are already working towards compliance ahead of the 2027–2028 academic year.

Chairing the meeting on March 16, 2026, Busitema University vice chancellor Prof. Paul Wako said universities were not starting from scratch but were now consolidating efforts to meet expectations.

“Government wrote to us indicating that by the 2027–2028 academic year, universities must be fully prepared to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE). While this is a positive development, it comes with significant challenges. As a forum, we are working towards a unified approach to address them,” Prof. Wako said.

Chairperson of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum and Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, Prof. Paul Wako, addresses the meeting. Left, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, Vice Chancellor of UCU, looks on. (Photo by Henry Nsubuga)

He noted that the shift to CBE is expected to produce graduates with practical skills, unlike the traditional system, which has contributed to rising unemployment.

“We have been graduating thousands of job seekers through the conventional system. With competence-based training, graduates will be better equipped to create their own jobs, earn a living, and employ others,” he added.

Despite progress, institutions say the transition will require major structural adjustments. Olive Sabiiti warned that universities risk being barred from admitting new students if they fail to meet the new requirements.

“The challenge is that we must undertake a comprehensive overhaul of our systems. This requires substantial funding, which many institutions currently lack. We need to develop new academic programmes for NCHE approval, yet this comes at a cost, retool lecturers, and in some cases recruit additional staff,” she explained.

Concerns were also raised about the pace of implementation. Aaron Mushengezi pointed to the limited preparation time compared to lower education reforms.

“It is unfortunate that while the government took years to prepare for the competence-based curriculum in secondary schools, universities have been given just one year. We will do our best, but we appeal for financial support, especially for staff training and upgrading teaching facilities,” he said.

Out of 62 member universities, 55 attended the meeting, alongside stakeholders including the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD).

Gaston Ampe said the organisation is ready to support universities, particularly in training academic staff for the transition.

Also addressing the forum, AICAD executive director Prof. James Njiru emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening higher education and community development.

Njiru noted that AICAD, established in 2000 through a partnership between the governments of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), focuses on building institutional capacity.

The organisation works with universities to promote value addition in sectors such as agriculture and to translate academic research into practical solutions that address societal challenges, including poverty, health, and agricultural transformation.