The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) convened a stakeholders’ validation meeting on 23rd January 2026 to review the draft minimum standards for the implementation of Competence-Based Education (CBE) in higher education institutions.
The meeting was held at Makerere University’s Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium and was attended by Vice Chancellors, Principals of tertiary institutions, and Academic Registrars.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of NCHE, Prof. Mary J.N. Okwakol, informed participants that the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, acting under Section 6 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Cap. 262, had directed all Higher Education Institutions to review their academic programmes and fully align them with the Competence-Based Education framework. Prof. Okwakol (above) further announced that starting with the 2027/2028 academic year, higher education institutions will only admit students to academic programmes that are fully aligned with the CBE framework.
She added that, in line with Section 4(i) of the NCHE mandate, the Council had developed draft minimum standards for the implementation of Competence-Based Education. These draft standards had already been shared with all higher education institutions, and the consultative meeting was intended to collect feedback and input from stakeholders to enrich and finalize them. She assured participants that the input gathered would be incorporated before presenting them to the NCHE Council for approval.
The Head of Standards, Recognition and Equating of Qualifications at NCHE, Dr. David Musiimaami (below), explained that the draft minimum standards covered nine key areas, namely: Curriculum Design; Teaching and Learning Approaches; Assessment; Faculty Training and Support; Student Support Services; Quality Assurance Systems; Industry and Community Linkages; Monitoring and Evaluation; and Gender & Equity Mainstreaming.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarah Ssali (below), appreciated NCHE for selecting Makerere University to host the stakeholder engagement meeting. She reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education in Uganda.
