Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene, Commissioner for Health Education and Training at the Ministry of Education and Sports, seated in a veil, poses with AIMC delegates in a group photo
September 25, 2025 – Uganda’s Commissioner for Health Education and Training at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene, has sounded the alarm over the country’s persistent skills gap, calling for urgent reforms in education and stronger partnerships between academia and industry to better prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving job market.
Speaking as the Keynote Guest on the third day of the MUBS 29th Annual International Management Conference held at Imperial Golf Hotel, Entebbe, Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene underscored the growing disconnect between academic instruction and the evolving needs of the modern workforce, shaped by AI and global economic shifts.
The question remains: Are our graduates truly ready for the world of work?” — Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene
“We are in an era defined by rapid technological change, unpredictable labor markets, and a workforce that is inadequately equipped for emerging opportunities,” she said. “Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries, finance, healthcare, education, agriculture, and beyond, faster than our curricula can adapt. The question remains: Are our graduates truly ready for the world of work?”
Despite thousands of students graduating annually from Uganda’s universities and Tertiary Institutions, including over 5,200 graduates at Makerere University Business School in 2024. Dr. Museene cited growing employer concerns about graduates lacking the technical, soft, entrepreneurial, and innovation skills critical for productivity and competitiveness. “This persistent gap is not just a concern for the education sector; it threatens Uganda’s socio-economic growth, productivity, and global competitiveness,” she warned. “It leads to reduced innovation, high employee turnover, and increased operational costs.”
Dr. Museene emphasized that closing the skills gap is central to Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) V (2025/26 – 2029/30), which places Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) at the heart of Uganda’s transformation agenda. “Bridging the skills gap is not just an educational challenge, it is a national imperative for economic growth, social transformation, and youth empowerment,” she said.
Key government policies, including the TVET Policy (2019) and the newly enacted TVET Act (2025), lay the groundwork for systemic reforms in education and workforce readiness. Dr. Museene called for stronger policy and regulatory frameworks to guide collaboration between education Institutions and employers.
Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene delivers her keynote address on the third day of the 29th AIMC in Entebbe
She stressed the importance of incentives, such as tax reductions and formal recognition, to attract private sector participation in skills development. Clear structures for internships, apprenticeships, and industry attachments must also be implemented consistently across Universities and training institutions.
Dr. Museene called for urgent curriculum reform to align education with evolving market needs. She urged Institutions to collaborate with employers and industry experts to design competency-based, practical programs that go beyond theory. In addition to technical skills, students must also master essential soft skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
She emphasized the value of strong partnerships between academia and industry, recommending formal agreements (MoUs) with sectors such as ICT, healthcare, and oil & gas. These partnerships should create clear engagement pathways, including internships, apprenticeships, and co-developed curricula.
Dr. Museene highlighted the role of Innovation Hubs and Incubation Centers, supported by Private Sector mentors and investors, in helping students turn ideas into viable businesses. Institutions like MUBS, Makerere University, and UPIK demonstrate the power of public-private Partnerships (PPPs) in delivering industry-standard training.
To support hands-on learning, she called for joint investments in modern infrastructure, engineering labs, ICT hubs, and health simulation centers. Resource sharing between Universities and the private sector can greatly enrich practical learning experiences.
On financing, Dr. Museene pointed to the TVET Act (2025) and the proposed Skills Development Fund as key mechanisms to support scholarships, apprenticeships, and startup capital. Mobilizing private sector contributions will be essential for long-term sustainability.
She stressed the need for strong monitoring and evaluation, including graduate tracer studies and feedback loops from employers, to keep programs relevant and accountable.
Dr. Museene concluded by highlighting successful local initiatives like the MUBS Innovation and Incubation Centers, which nurtures student startups. She urged all stakeholders, government, academia, and industry, to move from discussion to bold, collaborative action. Uganda’s graduates, she argued, must be prepared not just for today’s jobs, but for the rapidly changing demands of the future.