Education
Makerere University academic staff trained in competence based teaching
The Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and the College of Education and External Studies through the Centre of Teaching and Learning Support are implementing the Pedagogy and Professionalism course, which is aligned to Makerere University’s strategic approach of promoting innovative teaching and learning.
Following a phased approach, the first cohort of the training targeted 50 teaching staff, with five members nominated from each of the ten Colleges to participate in a three-day training workshop (19th to 21st February 2025), focusing on enhancing the skills of academic staff in competence-based education in the ever-evolving academic landscape.
Addressing the participants during the closing ceremony of the training workshop, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi congratulated the first cohort of the academic staff upon the successful completion of the course.
Underscoring the importance of continuous learning and professional development, he disclosed that the training will be rolled out at the different colleges within the university to ensure that all academic staff are equipped with competence based teaching skills and methodologies.
He called upon those who had been trained, the University leadership and academic staff in general to always be conscious of the trends in the education sector, the emerging developments in the teaching profession and the world at large.
“The world is changing and different teaching methods must be employed to meet the diverse needs of students. The best way to remain relevant in the academia involves adapting to emerging developments and learning new technologies, “he said.
Dr. Dorothy Kyagaba, the Coordinator at the Centre of Teaching and Learning Support appreciated the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) for creating a supportive environment through research entities and centers that facilitate innovative teaching, learning, and strategic partnership.
Dr. Kyagaba implored the participants to use the knowledge acquired during the delivery of teaching and learning programmes. She lauded the participants for their active participation and recognized the facilitators for their contribution to the success of the training workshop.
Highlighting some of the courses tackled during the training namely foundations of university pedagogy, competence-based curriculum, active-based learning, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies, Dr. Kyagaba was optimistic that the knowledge and skills acquired would be used to cause a positive impact in teaching and learning at Makerere University.
On behalf of the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Mugagga, the Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Mathias Mulumba who is an Associate Professor at Makerere University, pointed out that one of the key takeaways from the Pedagogy and Professionalism training workshop is the need to train all academic staff in competence-based methodology.
The Principal emphasized the importance of training academic leaders in competence-based education. “For the next cohort, we will train Academic leaders namely Principals, Deputy Principals, Deans, and Heads of Departments,” he stated.
He explained that training academic leaders in competence-based education will empower them to appreciate the need to change their delivery approach towards competence-based methodologies, and also enable them to provide leadership in promoting interactive and learner-centered approaches.
“Training academic leaders, will help them to provide the much-needed leadership in interactive and learner-centered approach. By training academic leaders, the university aims to create a ripple effect that will transform the teaching and learning culture across the institution,” he said.
In his capacity as the Dean of School of Education, Prof. Mulumba informed the participants that the College of Education and External Studies through the School of Education was aggressively involved in the implementation of government programmes in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to champion the rolling out of competence based methodologies in the country.
Prof. Mulumba cited the teaching staff at the School of Education, who in collaboration with resource persons from the National Curriculum Development Centre are executing the project titled: Capacity Building of Teacher Educators in Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in selected Public Universities in Uganda. According to Prof. Mulumba, the research project, which is being implemented at Makerere University, Busitema University and Mountains of the Moon University is funded by the Government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF).
On Thursday 23rd April 2026, people from different spheres of life, filled the Makerere University Main Hall to the brim, while other friends, partners and admirers, followed the proceedings virtually in a display of love and continuity, in honour of the legacy of Professor George William Senteza Kajubi, a distinguished scholar and educationist.
Prof. George William Senteza Kajubi, respected for being the first African Fulbright Scholar, served as a Vice Chancellor at Makerere University from 1977 to 1979, and 1990 to 1993.
He passed away on 1st May 2012, but his good works, knowledge, vocation, continue to inspire countless individuals across the globe.
Education Policy Reform as an Enabler of Student Success: The Kajubi Legacy
The 6th Annual Professor Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture brought onboard the family of the late, the US Ambassador to Uganda, senior government officials, the Vice Chancellor and members of the University Management, the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum, academics, staff, alumni, university and secondary school students, and international partners. All gathered for a detailed reflection on Uganda’s education system under the theme “Education Policy Reform as an Enabler of Student Success: The Kajubi Legacy.”
The lecture, organised by the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) at Makerere University in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Uganda and the Fulbright Program, evolved into a wide-ranging policy dialogue on curriculum reform, student learning outcomes, teacher training, digital transformation, and the legacy of Prof. William Senteza Kajubi.
Speakers repeatedly cited Kajubi’s 1989 Education Policy Review Commission Report, which many described as the foundation of modern Uganda’s education architecture, including the 1992 Government White Paper on Education for National Development.
Senteza Kajubi was a pioneering intellectual and reformer
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe re-affirmed Senteza Kajubi’s intellectual depth and policy influence and shared personal reflections on his legacy.
“Prof. Senteza Kajubi was an exceptional intellectual. I had the opportunity to travel with him for two weeks—witnessing his depth of intelligence, clarity of thought, and remarkable generosity in sharing knowledge.”
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized Senteza Kajubi’s contribution to Uganda’s education policy framework. “Prof. Senteza Kajubi authored the 1989 Education Policy Review Commission Report—still one of the most comprehensive analyses of Uganda’s education system. Many reforms today echo his forward-looking recommendations.”
Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Senteza Kajubi’s leadership at Makerere, where he served as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University at critical moments, shaping the institution into what it is today.
On international cooperation, Prof. Nawangwe stated that the United States remains central to Uganda’s development. The Vice Chancellor, acknowledged the U.S for being a strong supporter of education and research at Makerere University. He then welcomed the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, H.E William Popp, to address the congregation, at Makerere University Main Hall.
Education is a bridge between nations
The U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William Popp, framed the lecture within the broader philosophy of international education exchange. “Education is one of the most powerful instruments for promoting relations between people and building bridges across cultures,” he said.
The Ambassador highlighted Senteza Kajubi’s historic role in the Fulbright Program: “Professor Senteza Kajubi was the first Fulbright scholar from Africa. He bridged two worlds and returned not only with knowledge, but with a vision for what Ugandan education could become.”
He emphasized education as a tool for transformation: “Education policy must serve students—the young people whose families and nations depend on them.”
He argued that education systems must prepare learners for an uncertain future: “Students must be prepared not only for today’s jobs, but for careers that do not yet exist.”
H.E. Popp stressed the dual nature of education: “The best education provides technical skills for employment and develops creativity, independent thinking, and problem-solving abilities” he said, adding “Let us honour the legacies of Senator Fulbright and Professor Kajubi not only in words, but in action.”
Senteza Kajubi remains the foundation of Uganda’s education reforms
Prof. Anthony M. Mugagga, Principal of CEES, described Prof. William Senteza Kajubi as central to Uganda’s education system design and reform trajectory.
“It is very hard to talk about education reforms in Uganda without mentioning the name William Senteza Kajubi,” Prof. Mugagga said. “For over thirty years, Uganda’s education system has had as its fulcrum the Kajubi Report (1989) and the resultant Uganda Government White Paper on Education for National Development (1992).”
He emphasized that Senteza Kajubi’s influence extended beyond policy documents into the broader transformation of Ugandan society. “His vision and dedication to education have had a lasting impact on Uganda, not only as an education system, but also on the entire Ugandan polity served by this system.”
Prof. Mugagga described Senteza Kajubi as a “beacon of academic excellence” and highlighted his leadership roles at Makerere University during periods of institutional and national crisis.
“His leadership, particularly during challenging times, serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to fostering a higher education system that is not only academically rigorous but also deeply rooted in responsibility, ethics, and civic engagement.”
He connected Senteza Kajubi’s philosophy to the current reforms in the education sector, which provide a transition to the competence-based curriculum.
Reflecting on Senteza Kajubi’s legacy, Prof. Mugagga stressed that universities must remain relevant by engaging in continuous policy dialogue. “The only way the College of Education and External Studies can justify its existence is by engaging in meaningful dialogue about education policy reforms from pre-primary to university level.”
“Implementation defines policy success”
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Executive Director of Uwezo Uganda, described Kajubi’s policy legacy as the backbone of Uganda’s education system. “A policy is as good as its implementation,” she stated.
She outlined the foundational principles of the 1989 Commission: “Education is for everyone, and education should produce responsible citizens.”
She explained that Senteza Kajubi’s reforms prioritized inclusion and equity: “The commission emphasized universal access, teacher training, foundational learning, and inclusion of marginalized groups.”
She warned that Uganda faces persistent learning gaps: “Even at Primary Seven, some learners cannot read basic texts.”
She criticized the overemphasis on enrolment over learning outcomes: “For too long, the focus has been on access rather than whether children are actually learning.”
Dr. Nakabugo called for systemic reforms: “We must strengthen school management, expand pre-primary education, and invest in inclusive learning systems.” She stressed: “If we are to honour Professor Senteza Kajubi’s legacy, we must ensure that every child not only enters school, but succeeds in it.”
Senteza Kajubi’s vision was holistic education for life
Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo, Executive Director of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum (UVCF), offered a deeply reflective account of Senteza Kajubi’s philosophy of education, grounded in five core pillars.
He recalled first meeting Senteza Kajubi in 1960: “I first met Professor Senteza Kajubi when I was in Senior One at Makerere College School. He was among the top student teachers at the time.”
Prof. Lugujjo explained Senteza Kajubi’s core educational philosophy: “He emphasized that learning should involve and engage the learners. Students must be confident, know what they want, and express themselves clearly.”
To drive home the point, Prof. Lugujjo informed the audience in the Main Hall and those following the lecture virtually, that Prof. Senteza Kajubi always emphasized the need for student confidence: “He told us to look people in the eye when speaking. That built confidence in us.”
He outlined the five pillars of Kajubi’s education philosophy: “Learning to be, learning to know, learning to do, learning to learn, and learning to live together.”
He emphasized lifelong learning: “Learning should never stop, especially in developing countries where skills must continuously evolve”, and concluded by reiterating “Education should produce confident, skilled, adaptable, and socially responsible individuals.”
Technology must remain human-centred.
Dr. Richard Scott Nokes, a Full Professor of English at Troy University and currently a Fulbright Scholar in Uganda, situated education within historical technological transformations. “Technology must serve the human. The human must never serve the technology.”
He examined the evolution of education through three major shifts: the printing press, global mobility through Fulbright exchanges, and digital technologies.
On online learning: “Students can now learn across continents without travelling, but the classroom community has weakened.”
On artificial intelligence, he emphasized the need for balance:“We need AI that knows Uganda and the world—not one or the other,” he pointed out. “None of these technologies teach by themselves. They are tools we use to teach one another” he added.
Senteza Kajubi as a man of culture, humility, and access
Representing the family, Beverley Nambozo, Prof. Senteza Kajubi’s eldest granddaughter and founder of the Babishai Niwe (BN) Poetry, delivered a personal tribute.
“Professor Senteza Kajubi was a gentleman who carried much of the legacy of Africa’s Fulbright experience on his shoulders in the 1950s.”
She recounted his experience studying in the United States: “He spoke about long bus rides across Chicago and the challenges he faced as a young man abroad.”
She highlighted his support for education and literature: “Every time I published a book, he would buy at least five copies.”
She emphasised his inclusive philosophy: “He spoke to gardeners and household workers about their views on education” and concluded with a quote “Time stays and we go, but time cannot erase the legacy we create.”
During a panel discussion, moderator Dr. Leah Namatome-Sikoyo, a member of faculty at CEES, emphasized collective responsibility in education reform. “To realise transformative education, everyone has a role to play—government, policymakers, teachers, learners, parents, and citizens.”
The 2026 Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture reaffirmed Kajubi’s central role in shaping Uganda’s education system and highlighted urgent challenges in implementation, learning quality, inclusivity, and digital transformation.
The family of the late Prof. Senteza Kajubi and the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, commended the Organizing Committee chaired by the Deputy Principal, Prof. Ronald Bisaso for the excellent planning, coordination and execution.
Event Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCS7up
Education
Advancing Education Policy Dialogue through Partnership: Makerere Hosts the 2026 Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture
Makerere University continues to position itself as a hub for global academic exchange and strategic partnerships, as demonstrated by the successful hosting of the 2026 Professor William Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture.
Now in its fourth edition since the revitalisation of the lecture series in 2022, the Kajubi Lecture has evolved beyond a commemorative academic event into a powerful platform for institutional collaboration, most notably between Makerere University and the United States Embassy in Uganda. This partnership, anchored in the shared legacy of Professor William Senteza Kajubi as the first African Fulbright Scholar, reflects a deeper commitment to knowledge exchange, diplomacy, and education reform.
The 2026 lecture, held on April 23 at the Makerere University Main Hall, convened a diverse audience of policymakers, scholars, Fulbright alumni, students, and development partners, underscoring the multi-stakeholder approach required to drive meaningful education reform.
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared belief in the transformative power of education and international exchange. In his remarks, the United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, emphasised that the Fulbright Program represents more than academic mobility; it is a bridge between nations, fostering mutual understanding and long-term cooperation. He noted that such exchanges strengthen both countries by creating enduring networks of collaboration and shared knowledge.
This partnership is not incidental but rather intentional. Through the Advancement and International Office, Makerere University has strategically aligned the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) with the U.S. Embassy to ensure that the Kajubi Lecture serves as both an intellectual platform and a diplomatic touchpoint. The lecture reinforces ongoing cooperation while also expanding opportunities for academic exchange, research collaboration, and alumni engagement.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Executive Director of Uwezo Uganda, brought the discussion back to the core purpose of education policy: enabling student success. Her address traced the enduring influence of the Kajubi legacy on Uganda’s education system, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in access, quality, and relevance.
At the heart of her message was a return to Kajubi’s foundational belief: that education is both a basic human right and a tool for shaping responsible citizens. Education, she emphasised, must go beyond the acquisition of certificates to cultivate values, critical thinking, and a sense of civic responsibility.
A central critique in the keynote was the increasing dominance of technocratic approaches to education policy. While economic growth and workforce readiness are important, Dr. Nakabugo cautioned against reducing education to a tool for productivity alone. In doing so, systems risk neglecting the broader purpose of education, to nurture well-rounded individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to society.
This calls for a redefinition of student success. Success, she argued, should not be measured solely by enrollment or completion rates, but by meaningful outcomes: literacy, competence, retention, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world contexts. It is about preparing learners not just for jobs, but for life.
To achieve this, Dr. Nakabugo called for a renewed commitment to the Kajubi vision. This includes making education truly universal and equitable, investing in teachers and infrastructure, strengthening inclusive support systems, and reducing the financial burden on families. Equally important is the need to re-centre values such as critical thinking, citizenship, and accountability within the education system.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University further underscored this point, noting that education remains one of the most powerful instruments for building bridges between people and cultures. He expressed appreciation to the United States for its continued support, recognising the partnership as a critical contributor to Uganda’s development and to Makerere’s global outlook.
Before the Senteza Kajubi Memorial lecture, at a farewell cocktail session for H.E Ambassador. William Popp, the Vice Chancellor, expressed sincere appreciation to H.E. Amb. William W. Popp for his distinguished service and steadfast support to Makerere University during his tenure. He noted that the United States has remained a key partner in advancing the University’s global engagement, with a significant number of Makerere’s academic and institutional partnerships anchored in collaborations with U.S. universities. The Vice Chancellor commended Ambassador Popp for strengthening these ties and for his commitment to fostering academic exchange, research collaboration, and mutual understanding between Uganda and the United States.
Importantly, the Kajubi Lecture continues to serve as a convening space for Fulbright alumni, policymakers, and scholars, reinforcing a growing network of individuals committed to shaping the future of education in Uganda and beyond. This aligns with the broader objective of the lecture to initiate and sustain conversations on education policy reform while strengthening institutional and international cooperation.
As Makerere University advances its strategic priorities in internationalisation and alumni engagement, the Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture stands out as a model of how legacy, partnership, and purpose can converge to drive impact.
Kainomugisha Caroline is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
Education
Makerere Takes Lead in Transitioning Universities to Competency-Based Education in East and West Africa
According to Nelson Mandela “Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” This powerful statement resonates with the strides being undertaken by the Government of Uganda to transform the education sector through the Competency-Based Education model.
According to the experts in the field, competency-based education is about the change of methodology from the teacher-centred to the learner-centred approach that positions the learner at the heart of the learning, teaching and innovative processes.
In Uganda, the Ministry of Education of Education and Sports, in partnership with regulators has rolled out a road-map for education institutions at the different levels namely pre-primary, primary, secondary, technical, and universities to transition to the competency-based education (CBE) model.
At the University level, the Ministry of Education and Sports in partnership with the respective Universities, the National Council for Higher Education in Uganda (NCHE), and the Uganda Vice Chancellor’s Forum (UVCF), have lined up several strategies aimed at aligning academic programmes, curricula, research and innovations with the competency-based education (CBE) model.
Ministry tasks Makerere University to provide leadership on CBE
Specific to universities, the directive from the Ministry of Education and Sports was amplified on Tuesday 25th February 2026, during the 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University.
“Earlier on, I directed that all institutions of higher learning prepare for full implementation of competency-based education and training by July 2027. This is a fundamental shift in how we prepare our graduates. We are moving towards a model that emphasizes practical skills, innovation, and problem-solving, directly aligned with the needs of industry and the economy,” stated Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni in a speech read by Hon. Joyce Moriku Kaducu.
“In this regard, I want to specifically and strongly encourage Makerere University, as our premier institution, of higher learning to champion this directive. I request the Vice Chancellor and your team to lead the way in developing curricula, training staff, and establishing the necessary infrastructure to make competency-based education a reality,” added the Minister.
TRUCE project aligns with Makerere’s Competency-based education agenda
The policy directive from the Ministry of Education and Sports, coincides with Makerere University’s partnership with nine (9) consortium partners to implement an Erasmus+ Capacity Building Higher Education project. Titled Transitioning Higher Education Regulators and Universities to Competency-Based Education in East and West Africa (TRUCE), the project seeks to strengthen the capacities of universities and higher education regulators in Uganda and Ghana to transition to Competency-Based Education (CBE).
Funded by the European Union, the four year TRUCE project (December 2025 to 30th December 2029) draws from African and European expertise in curriculum reform, assessment, quality assurance, digital pedagogy, and stakeholder engagements. TRUCE brings together Makerere University as the lead partner, working with, the Mountains of the Moon University, University of Ghana, Legon University of Education, Winneba, Universitat de Barcelona, Instituto Politecnico do Porto, the National Council for Higher Education of Uganda, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and RUFORUM.
At Makerere University, the TRUCE Project is implemented through the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), with Associate Professor Josephine Esaete as the Principal Investigator, and Professor Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, the Principal of CEES providing oversight. At the strategic level, the TRUCE Project brings onboard Vice Chancellors of the participating universities, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Academic Registrars, the Directors of Quality Assurance, and Chief Executive Officers.
TRUCE Objectives
The project pursues four (4) interlinked objectives:
- Retooling university faculty and higher education regulators in Uganda and Ghana on competence based education
- Developing guidelines for the design, implementation, and assessment of competence based education
- Strengthening collaboration between universities , and the assessment of competence based education
- Improving the capacity of regulatory bodies and higher education institutions to assure the quality of CBE programmes
TRUCE project holds Inception meeting
Bringing onboard over 30 participants, with a minimum of three (3) representatives from each of the nine (9) participating institutions, a TRUCE inception meeting was held on the 8th and 9th of April 2026. It featured remarks from selected partners and regulators, a session aimed at reaching a common understanding of the project scope and start-up priorities, alignment of partner expectations, presentations on financial management, quality assurance principles and indicators, discussion of the five (5) work packages, work plan and budget alignment per work package, consideration of the risk register, decision log, key dates for project activities and stakeholder engagements, as well as, adoption of meeting resolutions.
The work packages, which form the core of the TRUCE project are outlined below:
- Project Management, Coordination and Oversight
- Development and piloting of guidelines for CBE design, implementation, and assessment
- Development of Collaborative Learning ecosystem for CBEs in Higher Education Institutions
- Capacity building for regulators, faculty, managers in CBE design, implementation, and assessment
- Dissemination, Communication and Impact
Purpose of the TRUCE Inception meeting
Dr. Josephine Esaete, an Associate Professor at Makerere University, and Principal Investigator of the project, welcomed the national and international participants to the TRUCE inception meeting.
“Your presence and participation, is testimony to your commitment to the TRUCE project focused on significantly contributing to the transformation of the education sector. TRUCE is grounded in learner-centered pedagogies, which position the learner as the key driver of his or her education or learning process,” said Associate Professor Josephine Esaete.
Emphasizing the importance of the two-day engagement, Associate Professor Esaete said: “This kick-off meeting is aimed at aligning all partners on the project logic, working methods, responsibilities, and implementation expectations for TRUCE.” She articulated that the meeting would provide a formal platform for adopting the consortium’s start-up decisions so that the project moves from inception into coordinated implementation.
“To ensure implementable decisions, the inception meeting programme, combines short plenary inputs, structured technical sessions, regulator-university dialogue, work package planning sessions, and a final decision session,” she explained.
Role of the Colleges or Schools of Education in CBE implementation
Responding to key issues from a brief, but interactive plenary session, Associate Professor Josephine Esaete flanked by Dr. Alfred Buluma, Dr. Michael Walimbwa, Dr. Julius Shopi Mbulankende, from the College of Education and External Studies, at Makerere University, highlighted that the ultimate goal of the TRUCE project envisions impacting the entire university, as well as, the education system in general.
In pursuit of this goal, the team explained that in addition to the Project Management Team (PMT), at the strategic level, TRUCE is structured with a Project Advisory Board (PAB), which consists of Vice Chancellors, Principals, or Chief Executive Officers of the participating consortium partners.
At the implementation level, the Colleges or Schools of Education, play a fundamental role in determining the formulation of teaching, learning and digital pedagogies, curriculum development, and early childhood education.
“The starting point in changing education in a given country should be the teacher. We are intentional on rolling out programmes to strengthen the capacities and competences within the Schools of Education in Universities because those Units have the mandate to influence the entire education system,” explained Dr. Alfred Buluma, Co-Principal Investigator, TRUCE project.
TRUCE positions Makerere for more collaboration opportunities
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe represented by Professor Anthony Muwagga Mugagga congratulated the TRUCE universities and partners for winning the research grant, which seeks to re-model the education system, transform Africa and the world at large.
The Vice Chancellor observed that competence based education provides the best approach of producing critical thinkers and innovative learners with problem solving abilities.
Building on the spin offs of the TRUCE project including the number of participating universities and reputable partners, the Vice Chancellor extended an olive branch for more collaborations. “Makerere University welcomes collaborations through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas of mutual interest, joint research and publications, student and staff exchanges, visiting professors, and external examinations,” he said.
Emphasizing transparency and accountability for funds, the Vice Chancellor appealed to the participating institutions and partners to strictly adhere to the guidelines and templates provided by the funding partner-the European Union.
TRUCE enhances CEES’ competency-based education profile
The Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Mugagga stated that the TRUCE project was a timely intervention. “In Uganda, the shift to competency-based education is challenging. Makerere University and the College of Education and External Studies are implementing several strategies including re-tooling teachers to adapt to CBE. Therefore, the TRUCE project with its objectives, is a welcome intervention, as we advance to CBE,” he stated.
In the same vein, Professor Mugagga commended the TRUCE project for bringing onboard the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a reputable partner with expertise in managing international projects.
RUFORUM commits to aligning programmes with Competency-based education
Building on related initiatives such as AgriCBE, the TRUCE project aims to contribute to more relevant, market-responsive graduates and stronger university-regulator-industry linkages. Prof. Anthony Egeru, Programme Manager, Training and Community Development at the RUFORUM Secretariat, informed the participants that the TRUCE project commences on a solid foundation.
“RUFORUM has been actively involved in initiatives at the national and international levels of aligning agriculture programmes to competency-based education. RUFORUM has implemented several research and international projects in partnership with Makerere University, which provides a firm ground for the successful execution of the TRUCE project. RUFORUM works closely with the different colleges at Makerere University to execute research, innovations and community development programmes,” said Professor Egeru.
With respect to aligning academic programmes with the competency-based education model, Professor Egeru mentioned that over the years, RUFORUM has implemented several research and project activities with the Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
Professor Egeru said the TRUCE project presents yet another opportunity to RUFORUM and Makerere University through the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) to enhance the quality of education through building a critical mass of teachers, trainer of trainers, learners and experts in competency-based education.
On the issue of successful coordination and execution of the project activities, the RUFORUM Secretariat called upon the participating institutions and each member involved in the project, to read and understand the agreements, proposal, guidelines, travel arrangements, and to initiative procurement early so that the activities are implemented within the stipulated timelines.
TRUCE supporting other universities
During the inception meeting, participants and stakeholders appreciated the approach consisting of training and capacity building programmes lined up to create a pool of competency-based education (CBE) facilitators. “The TRUCE project will support other universities in the region by creating a critical mass of experts who understand competency-based education,” said Dr. Michael Walimbwa, a member of the TRUCE implementation team.
NCHE urges universities to train staff in Competency-based education
The National Council for Higher Education in Uganda (NCHE) is a key partner in the TRUCE project. The Executive Director of NCHE, Professor Mary J. N. Okwakol represented by Mr. David Musiimaani, Head of Standards, Recognition and Equating of Qualifications, congratulated the participating institutions on the TRUCE project and its intended objectives.
At the TRUCE inception meeting, Mr. Musiimaani highlighted that NCHE has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the alignment with CBE is done. He reported that NCHE had developed the minimum standard guidelines of competence based education. He implored the University Management in the respective institutions to train staff in order to execute the Competence Based Education (CBE) model.
GTEC-Ghana commends the TRUCE project
Sharing his experience, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Director-General, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), said: “In Ghana, we are working towards technical education, but it is difficult.”
Drawing from his experience and lessons learned, Professor Jinapor Abdulai, informed participants that Competency-based education (CBE) requires commitment in terms of strategy, time, and investment in staff.
The Director General welcomed the TRUCE project as a timely intervention, which seeks to empower universities and regulators with Competency-based education (CBE) knowledge through re-tooling of staff, and on-boarding of partners through consultations, involvement and capacity building.
Consensus
The inception meeting concluded on a high note, with participants, regulators and stakeholders re-affirming their commitment to adapt to the competency-based education model through innovative teaching and learning pedagogies, undertaking research projects, participating in community development, training and re-tooling, bench-marking best practices, as well as, scaling up partnerships at the national and international levels.
Makerere University Truce Project Implementation Team
At the end of the inception meeting, the following participants were introduced as members of the TRUCE Implementation team at Makerere University: Associate Professor Josephine Esaete, Dr. Alfred Buluma, Dr. Michael Walimbwa, Dr. Julius Shopi Mbulankende. Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga and Ms. Teddie Nassali (Project Management and Oversight) as well as Ms. Ritah Namisango (on the Communication, Dissemination and Impact Work Package).
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