On 4th May 2026, NCHE hosted a Zimbabwe benchmarking delegation led by FAWEZI in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, to gain practical insights into the implementation of the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) in Ugandan Universities. The delegation led by the Prof Fanual Tagwira, the Permanent Secretary, consisted of representatives from the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, Universities, FAWE and MasterCard Foundation.
NCHE awards best exhibitors.
NCHE awarded the best exhibitors at the 16th Annual Higher Education Exhibition, held under the theme: “Harnessing Innovation in Higher Education for Accelerated Economic Transformation.”
The award ceremony marked the close of the three-day exhibition hosted at Gulu University from 26th to 28th March 2026.
The winners were:
1. Uganda Christian University (@UCUniversity) – Best Exhibitor in the category of Public and Chartered Universities.
2. LivingStone International University (@LIUUganda) – Best Exhibitor in the category of Universities with Provisional Licenses and Other Degree-Awarding Institutions.
3. Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (@UICTug) – Best Exhibitor in the category of Other Tertiary Institutions.
Congratulations to all the winners for the outstanding exhibitions and commitment to innovation in higher education.
All Higher Education Institutions are encouraged to adopt Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET).
Institutions should as well establish Innovation Management Offices to drive research and innovation.
#NCHE7thHEC2026
All Higher Education Institutions must adopt Competence-Based Education by the 2027/28 academic year. The Council has already approved standards to guide implementation of Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET).
#NCHE16thExhibition26
All academic programmes for the 2027/2028 intake are expected to comply with CBET standards. Capacity building for higher education leaders will remain a priority to strengthen regulation, research, and innovation.
#NCHE7thHEC2026
DAY TWO
The 7th Annual Higher Education Conference 2026, organised by @nche_uganda, continues today in Gulu City.
Keynote Speaker: Stephen Asiimwe - Executive Director, Private Sector Foundation Uganda | #NCHE7thHEC2026
@AburaAbu1@Educ_SportsUg Presentations will be shared via a link on this platform and across our other media channels.
In the meantime, we invite you to visit our YouTube page (NCHE UGANDA) to watch, rewatch, share, and download the proceedings.
@Educ_SportsUg@nche_uganda Shall presentations be shared in the form of detailed documents or videos? I am unable to attend but very much interested in gaining from the current conversations.
WATCH: Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has urged government to avoid hindering innovators, saying this would enable innovations to achieve their intended impact more quickly. Mao made the remarks while officiating at the opening of the National Council for Higher Education’s 7th Annual Higher Education Conference in Gulu City, held from March 23 to 24 under the theme: “Harnessing Innovation in Higher Education for Accelerated Economic Transformation.” The conference has brought together academicians, legislators, and students from universities and other higher learning institutions.
#MonitorUpdates
📹: Jane Nafula
Hon.Nobert Mao, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, opened a two-day 7th Annual Higher Education Conference this morning in Gulu City. The conference is organized by the National Council for Higher Education @nche_uganda. @Educ_SportsUg#NCHE7thHEC2026
@nche_uganda The #NCHE7thHEC2026 goal is to create a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration to strengthen higher education’s role in innovation-led economic transformation.
#EducUg
Key discussions are focusing on competence-based curricula, innovative teaching approaches, and how reforms in higher education can improve graduate employability and relevance in today’s economy.
#NCHE7thHEC2026
#NCHE7thHEC2026 "The Council remains committed to strengthening quality assurance frameworks that do not suffocate innovation, but rather those that guide HEIs responsibly. Regulation must enable progress, not impede it. In this regard, the Council has come up with strategies aimed at achieving the following;
Firstly, Curriculum innovation by embedding practical skills, entrepreneurship, and problem solving. This is in line with the MOES requirement for all institutions to embrace competence-based pedagogy.
Secondly, Digital Innovation where we are Leveraging Open Distance E-Learning (ODeL), platforms to expand access, equity and flexibility. The Council keenly supports, guides and monitors this service.
Thirdly, Research and Technology Innovation, by supporting applied research that responds to Uganda’s developmental challenges, by the Council, and the HEIs.
Fourth, Institutional Governance Innovation which aims at strengthening accountability, quality assurance, and performance management systems"-Chairperson, NCHE
#NCHE7thHEC2026 " As Council, we recognize that research and innovation provide the bridge between knowledge and economic productivity. We therefore encourage, and support universities and other tertiary institutions to move beyond theory and become hubs of research, commercialization, technology transfer, and community engagement. You will be glad to know that many of these institutions are trying to carry out that mandate, although we are not yet there"- Professor J.
Kwesiga, Chairperson NCHE