TRUCE Project Showcases Its Contribution to Competence-Based Higher Education at the EU–Uganda Research and Study Fair 2026

Kampala, Uganda – The Transitioning Regulators and Universities to Competence-Based Education (TRUCE) project exhibited at the EU–Uganda Research and Study Fair 2026, held at Makerere University on 8 October 2026, highlighting its efforts to strengthen higher education systems and equip graduates with practical skills relevant to the changing world of work.

Marking 50 years of partnership between Uganda and the European Union, the fair brought together policymakers, researchers, academics, students, development partners and representatives of European institutions to explore opportunities for research, innovation and international collaboration.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (left), EU Ambassador to Uganda Jan Sadek (centre), and Acting Minister of Education and Sports Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo tour exhibition stands during the EU Uganda Research and Study Fair at Makerere University.

Representing TRUCE, Associate Professor Josephine Esaete from Makerere University’s College of Education and External Studies (CEES) shared insights into the project’s objectives, ongoing activities and planned interventions to advance competence-based education.

She explained that TRUCE is a four-year, European Union co-funded initiative bringing together nine partners from Uganda, Ghana and Europe, coordinated by Makerere University. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of universities and higher education regulatory bodies in curriculum design, teaching, assessment, monitoring and evaluation.

                                                         Professor Josephine Esaete at the TRUCE exhibtion booth

A key priority is bridging the gap between academic learning and labour market demands by promoting stronger collaboration between universities and industry. This approach aims to ensure that graduates acquire not only theoretical knowledge but also the practical competencies needed in professional environments.

Officially opening the fair, Uganda’s Acting Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, emphasised the importance of investing in education, skills development, research, innovation and entrepreneurship to harness the potential of Uganda’s youthful population.

He urged universities and research institutions to strengthen connections between education, research and the world of work, stressing that academic knowledge should translate into practical solutions to national development challenges. His remarks reinforced the relevance of TRUCE’s efforts to promote teaching and assessment approaches that prioritise demonstrable competencies.

Similarly, Makerere University’s Acting Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, called for international academic partnerships to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities and national development. She emphasised the need for research and knowledge to influence policy, improve practice and contribute to economic growth.

Against this backdrop, TRUCE’s participation highlighted the role of African–European partnerships in supporting institutional reforms and making higher education more responsive to societal and economic needs.

As universities navigate the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to competence-based education, TRUCE continues to support this process through institutional capacity strengthening, knowledge exchange and collaboration among higher education institutions, regulators and industry.

The fair provided an opportunity for TRUCE to engage in the broader conversation on the future of higher education and reaffirm its intentional commitment to advancing education systems that better prepare graduates for employment, innovation and sustainable development.

Read article from Makerere University here