Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) hosted Vice Chancellors, university representatives and TVET partners from the UMU TAGDev 2.0 Consortium ASEC/SUESCA for a strategic meeting to review progress and strengthen implementation of the SUESCA ASEC programme. The meeting, held on 15 July 2026 at Pope Paul VI Memorial Hotel in Kampala, brought together representatives from Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda Christian University (UCU), Bugema University and Kabale University, alongside partner TVET institutions including Mirembe Community College, Nangabo Vocational Community Institute and Centenary Community College Kayunga, among others.
The engagement focused on reviewing programme performance, identifying implementation challenges, strengthening partnerships and agreeing on practical actions to advance entrepreneurship, innovation, climate-smart agriculture, youth skilling and community engagement across the consortium. Participants also discussed financial absorption, innovation financing, inclusion of women, refugees and displaced persons (RDPs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), university-industry partnerships, documentation, and the institutionalisation of entrepreneurship and innovation. They further reflected on strategies to improve youth employment outcomes and address challenges in achieving the programme’s job creation targets.
Opening the meeting, UMU TAGDev 2.0 Programme Coordinator, Dr. Robinah S. Nakabo, welcomed the progress registered by the consortium and noted that the recent audit had demonstrated satisfactory implementation. She, however, called upon participating institutions to scale up their efforts, strengthen partnerships and ensure that programme activities are properly documented, evidence-based and aligned with agreed targets to promote accountability and impact.
Welcoming participants, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University, Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa, described TAGDev 2.0 as an ongoing learning programme that requires flexibility, collaboration and continuous reflection. Quoting the maxim, “A life not examined is not worth living,” he encouraged participants to critically assess the consortium’s progress, openly discuss emerging challenges and collectively identify practical solutions. He also called for stronger institutional oversight and deeper university-industry partnerships to enhance programme sustainability.
Representatives from the consortium universities reaffirmed their commitment to the programme. Prof. I. M. Kafeero, Vice Chancellor of Bugema University, appreciated the collaboration and support among consortium members and pledged to strengthen the university’s performance as implementation progresses. Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito from Uganda Christian University emphasised that the challenges identified during programme implementation “should not be left in the conference room,” but should instead inspire collective action and mutual support among participating institutions. Ms. Juliet Tushemereirwe, representing the Vice Chancellor of Kabale University, similarly called for “actionable commitment” to ensure that discussions and recommendations translate into tangible and measurable results.
Institutional updates highlighted significant progress being made across the consortium in experiential learning, entrepreneurship, innovation, climate-smart agriculture and community engagement. Kabale University, for example, reported reaching more than 740 young people through workshops and practical learning, planting over 4,400 climate-smart trees and establishing nurseries with more than 40,000 seedlings ready for transplanting. The university is also supporting nine student innovation projects while strengthening partnerships with industry and organisations such as the International Potato Center.
The meeting placed particular emphasis on moving innovations beyond experimentation towards sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs, improving livelihoods and contributing to national development. The Vice Chancellors agreed to strengthen university-industry partnerships, improve innovation financing, enhance financial monitoring and embed entrepreneurship and innovation more firmly within university structures, academic programmes and institutional culture.
The consortium also committed to expanding opportunities for women, out-of-school youth, refugees and persons with disabilities, while strengthening collaboration with government agencies, development partners, TVET institutions and community organisations to broaden programme reach and impact. Participants further agreed to improve reporting systems, strengthen documentation and evidence management, enhance data analysis and promote knowledge sharing across consortium institutions.
Looking ahead, the Vice Chancellors committed to providing stronger institutional leadership to ensure that the gains made under TAGDev 2.0 translate into long-term transformation within their respective universities. Priority areas include strengthening governance and accountability, improving financial compliance and reporting, expanding investment in innovation and enterprise development, deepening partnerships with industry and government, and ensuring greater inclusion of women, refugees, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
The consortium also resolved to further institutionalise entrepreneurship and innovation by embedding them within university systems, curricula and incubation programmes, with greater emphasis on supporting youth employment and sustainable enterprise development. Participating institutions will continue promoting climate-smart agriculture, community engagement and evidence-based programme implementation while documenting best practices and measuring the long-term impact of their interventions.
As the next phase of implementation begins, consortium members will develop institutional action plans with clear responsibilities, timelines and performance indicators to guide implementation. Regular Vice Chancellors’ review meetings, strengthened consortium coordination, improved monitoring systems and annual learning forums will help track progress, share best practices and address emerging challenges.
Through these collective commitments, the UMU TAGDev 2.0 Consortium aims to move beyond successful project implementation towards lasting institutional transformation, ensuring that investments under the SUESCA ASEC programme continue to create sustainable employment opportunities for young people, strengthen resilient agrifood systems and build the capacity of universities to drive innovation-led development across Uganda.
