Delivering the Minister’s address, the State Minister for Higher Education, Hon. John Chrysestom Muyingo, issued a firm directive that redefines the future of university training in Uganda. All academic programmes, he announced, must fully align with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) by the start of the 2027/2028 academic year, marking a decisive shift from theory-heavy instruction to skills-driven learning.
Muyingo made the pronouncement at Kyambogo University’s 21st Graduation Ceremony, an event that doubled as both a celebration of academic achievement and a signal of sweeping reform in higher education. Addressing thousands of graduands, parents and academic leaders, the Minister positioned Kyambogo as a critical driver of the transition.
“Kyambogo University, with its practical orientation, must lead this charge as a bridge between foundational skills and advanced industry competencies,” Muyingo said.
The directive places universities under pressure to redesign curricula, retrain staff and strengthen industry linkages within a tight timeline. For Kyambogo, long associated with hands-on training, the instruction reinforces its historical mandate while elevating expectations for national leadership in skills development.
Presiding over the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, Muyingo commended Kyambogo for institutional stability and steady growth. He singled out the graduation of 23 PhD candidates as evidence of the university’s expanding capacity to contribute to Uganda’s research and innovation agenda.
As policy took centre stage, the university used the ceremony to showcase how it is aligning training with national priorities. Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya announced the establishment of an Egg and Milk Processing Pilot Plant in the Department of Food Science, a facility designed to anchor practical learning in agro-industrial production.
“This pilot plant not only enhances our practical training capacity but also positions the University as a key contributor to Uganda’s food security initiatives,” Prof. Katunguka said.
Funded by the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat in the Office of the President, the facility produces powdered eggs and powdered milk, translating research into market-ready outputs. The project reflects the CBC emphasis on competence, innovation and employability.
The Vice Chancellor also outlined major infrastructure investments supporting the skills agenda. Internet bandwidth has increased by 60 per cent, improving research output and blended learning. The university is replacing asbestos roofs to eliminate health risks and expanding CCTV coverage to strengthen campus security.
In another strategic development, part of Kyambogo’s West End ground has been upgraded into a high-grade football pitch earmarked as a training facility for AFCON 2027. The project links university infrastructure to continental sporting and economic opportunities, reinforcing the idea that higher education institutions must plug directly into national development programmes.
Kyambogo’s reforms are also taking on a regional dimension. The university has secured two Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme grants, supporting 23 PhD students, 56 Master’s students and 29 staff members across 10 African universities. The initiative strengthens research collaboration and skills transfer across the continent.
As the ceremony concluded, Muyingo offered guidance to the graduands, urging them to avoid “the pitfalls of corrupt practices and unsustainable luxury.” He reminded them that their academic journey had been shaped by resilience, particularly during the Covid-19 disruptions.
“Make yourselves relevant in the labour market, be good ambassadors of Kyambogo University, and serve with patience and integrity,” he said.
With the CBC deadline set, the message from Kyambogo was clear: Uganda’s universities are entering an era where relevance will be measured by skills, innovation and impact. The transition now moves from policy declaration to institutional action, with Kyambogo expected to set the pace.
