NCDC Director says learners must think, innovate, solve problems and create opportunities
Writes Brian Mugenyi
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Speke Resort Munyonyo, UGANDA — August 18, 2026 — Dr Bernadette Nambi Karuhanga, Director of the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), has called for a fundamental rethink of Uganda’s education curriculum, saying learners must be prepared for a world increasingly shaped by technology, artificial intelligence, changing labour markets and innovation.
Speaking to this writer on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Karuhanga said education can no longer be measured simply by how much information a learner can remember, but by the ability to apply knowledge to real-life challenges.
“The answer increasingly requires us to rethink not only what learners know, but what they can do with what they know,” she said.
Her remarks come ahead of the 2nd International Conference on Curriculum Development, scheduled for August 20–21, 2026, at Speke Resort and Convention Centre, Kampala, under the theme “Innovative Curriculum Approaches for Sustainable Education in a Globalised World.”
Karuhanga said employers increasingly require adaptability, creativity, communication, collaboration and problem-solving alongside technical knowledge.
“Curriculum cannot remain static in such an environment,” she said.
She said Uganda’s competency-based approach should enable learners to apply knowledge, analyse situations, work with others, communicate ideas and solve problems in real-life circumstances.
Technology must serve learning
Karuhanga said technology and artificial intelligence are changing how people learn, communicate and work.
“The question for education will not be simply whether learners should use technology, but how we prepare them to use it intelligently, creatively, ethically and responsibly,” she said.
She cautioned that technology should complement teachers rather than replace them.
“Technology should strengthen learning rather than replace the essential human relationships at the heart of education,” she said.
Muyingo backs hands-on education
Meanwhile, Dr John Chrysestom Muyingo, Acting Minister of Education and Sports, has backed the push for practical skills, innovation and information technology.
Muyingo said Uganda’s changing education and labour landscape requires learners to acquire skills that can translate knowledge into innovation, production and economic opportunity.
“Hands-on education is the way to go,” Muyingo said, stressing the importance of information technology skills in the modern economy.
130 papers submitted
Dr Richard Irumba, Chairperson of the conference organising committee and Deputy Director at NCDC, said organisers received 130 papers, with 77 accepted following a rigorous double-blind peer-review process.
He said the submissions came from researchers, educators and practitioners from more than 11 countries, while more than 700 delegates had confirmed attendance physically and online.
The conference will examine artificial intelligence and ICT in education, competency-based learning, entrepreneurship, TVET, climate-change education, green jobs, inclusivity, early childhood education, teacher training and indigenous knowledge.
Karuhanga said education reform is a national responsibility involving Government, parents, teachers, universities, employers, researchers and communities.
“Uganda’s greatest resource is its people,” she said.
She added that the curriculum designed today will influence “the skills of tomorrow’s workforce, the creativity of tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, the judgement of tomorrow’s leaders and the resilience of tomorrow’s communities.”
The question facing Uganda, therefore, is no longer simply what learners should know, but what they should be able to create, solve and build with that knowledge.
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