Chairing the meeting, Busitema University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Wako said the shift to competence-based learning is a necessary step toward addressing the country’s growing unemployment problem among graduates.
Universities across the country have been put on notice: adopt the Competence-Based Education (CBE) model or risk being barred from admitting new students.
The directive, issued by the government through the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the Ministry of Education and Sports, requires all higher institutions of learning to fully transition to the new system by the start of the 2027–2028 academic year.
The tough stance was a key focus during the 77th General Meeting of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum held at Uganda Christian University, where university leaders expressed both support for the reform and concern over its implementation.
Chairing the meeting, Busitema University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Wako said the shift to competence-based learning is a necessary step toward addressing the country’s growing unemployment problem among graduates.
“For a long time, universities have been producing job seekers rather than job creators. This new approach is intended to equip learners with practical skills that can enable them to start their own ventures and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he said.
However, Prof. Wako acknowledged that the timeline set by government is tight and the transition process demanding.
“While we agree this is the right direction, the challenges are enormous. As vice chancellors, we are working together to find a common position on how best to implement these reforms within the given timeframe,” he added.
Under the new directive, universities that fail to meet the requirements will not be allowed to enroll new students—a move that has raised concern among institutions already grappling with financial constraints.
Cavendish University Vice Chancellor Dr. Olive Sabiiti described the transition as costly and complex, warning that many institutions may struggle to comply without additional support.
“We are required to overhaul our programmes, seek approval for new curricula from NCHE, retool our lecturers, and in some cases recruit new staff. All this requires significant funding, which is currently limited,” she said.
She noted that the cost of programme accreditation alone could strain university budgets, yet it remains a mandatory step in aligning with the new system.
Uganda Christian University Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengezi also questioned the short preparation period, noting that lower levels of education were given years to transition to competence-based learning.
“It is a good reform, but the time given to universities is too short compared to what was allocated to secondary schools. We appeal to government to support us financially, especially in training lecturers and upgrading teaching facilities,” he said.
Despite the concerns, stakeholders at the meeting emphasized the long-term benefits of the new model, which focuses on hands-on training, innovation, and real-world problem solving.
The meeting attracted representatives from 55 out of the 62 member universities, as well as partners such as the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), a regional organization supported by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Dr. Gaston Ampe said AICAD is ready to support universities in training academic staff to meet the new demands of competence-based education.
AICAD Executive Director Prof. James Njiru highlighted the importance of collaboration among East African institutions in strengthening higher education systems. He noted that the organization works with universities to build capacity, promote value addition in key sectors like agriculture, and translate academic research into practical solutions that address community challenges.
As the deadline approaches, universities now face a critical test—adapt quickly to the new education model or risk losing their ability to admit students altogether.
