NCHE Reviews 700 University Programmes Ahead Of Competence-Based Shift

Kampala, August 19, 2026 - Uganda's National Council for Higher Education is reviewing about 700 university programmes as the country prepares to align tertiary training with a competence-based education model.

The review comes amid renewed scrutiny of course quality, graduate employability and the relevance of university qualifications to the labour market. President Yoweri Museveni has criticised graduates for pursuing "carelessly selected courses," adding political pressure to a reform process already under way.

Online learning, which expanded sharply when academic institutions were closed during the Covid-19 period, has become less prominent as universities return to conventional delivery models. The review is expected to test how institutions balance digital learning, practical skills and market demand.

For investors and employers, the process is relevant to Uganda's medium-term skills pipeline, especially in sectors such as tourism, services, technology and management where graduate preparedness remains a key constraint.