By Sarah Nanteza

The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao, has urged the government and academic institutions to adopt policies that promote innovation in higher education instead of suppressing it.

Speaking at the opening of the 7th Annual Higher Education Conference in Gulu City, Mao warned university leaders against enforcing strict regulations that prevent creative breakthroughs, pointing out that such obstacles slow down Uganda’s economic growth.

“The focus should be on improving policymaking, especially regarding the future of higher education. Much of the country's innovation has been hindered by restrictive regulations,” Mao said.

Organized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), the two-day summit brought together researchers, regulators, development partners, and the private sector. Under the theme "Harnessing Innovation in Higher Education for Accelerated Economic Transformation," stakeholders are discussing strategic collaborations and the commercialization of research.

Keynote speaker Prof. Timothy M. Waema called on university councils to prioritize entrepreneurship. He suggested a thorough revision of traditional curricula to include problem-based learning and innovation hubs as standard components.

“Universities should revise their curricula to include mandatory entrepreneurship courses. We need to give credit for participating in startups and build the infrastructure necessary to support innovation,” Prof. Waema stated.

He also highlighted the importance of "triple-helix" partnerships, strong collaborations among academia, industry, and government, to advance research and mentorship.

Addressing the delegates, Prof. Mary J.N. Okwakol, the Executive Director of the NCHE, announced that the council has already begun purposeful curriculum reforms. These revisions aim to provide students with practical, job-ready, and critical-thinking skills through Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET).

Higher institutions have been instructed to ensure that all academic programs for the 2027/2028 first-year intake fully meet CBET requirements,” Prof. Okwakol announced. She also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Attorney General, and the Ministry of Finance for providing the necessary funding and legal guidance for these reforms.

Representing the private sector, Dr. Ezra Muhumuza Rubanda, Executive Director of the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA), called for better alignment between classroom training and the factory floor. He raised concerns about the timing of internships, noting that industries prefer final-year students who are closer to entering the workforce.

“Industries need graduates who are both skilled and capable,” Dr. Rubanda stated, urging institutions to bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial reality.