NCHE Monitoring Visit Highlights Kampala University’s Strong Commitment to Community Engagement

KAMPALA, UGANDA — 12 August 2026: The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Uganda’s regulatory body for higher education, conducted a monitoring visit to Kampala University (KU) on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, to assess and gain deeper insight into the University’s Community Engagement (CE) activities and practices.

The monitoring exercise was held at Kampala University’s Mutundwe Campus and the NCHE team was led by Dr. Cyrus Ssebugenyi. The delegation was warmly received by the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Maboh M. Nkwati, together with members of University Management, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Owek. Amb. Prof. Badru D. Kateregga.

The visit provided an important platform for NCHE and Kampala University to engage in detailed discussions on the University’s systems, structures, policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening its contribution to communities and national development.

Comprehensive Review of Community Engagement

During the monitoring exercise, the NCHE team examined a wide range of areas relating to Community Engagement at Kampala University. These included the existence and effectiveness of governance and management structures, such as committees, that provide oversight, policy direction and technical guidance on Community Engagement.

The team also assessed whether Community Engagement committees are established at appropriate institutional levels and whether they provide meaningful representation of relevant community members. Particular attention was given to the existence of a designated Community Engagement office and personnel responsible for coordinating and supporting CE activities across the University.

The discussions further covered the University’s strategies and policies for Community Engagement, the recognition of Community Engagement in staff recruitment and promotion, risk management mechanisms for safeguarding staff, students and community participants, and mechanisms through which communities participate in institutional activities.

Community Engagement Through Teaching, Research and Service

The monitoring exercise also examined how Community Engagement is integrated into Kampala University’s core functions of teaching, learning, research and community service.

Among the areas reviewed was the extent to which the University offers study programmes designed to respond to community and social development needs, involves community practitioners and representatives in teaching and learning, and consults external communities when programmes and courses are developed, reviewed or evaluated.

The NCHE team also considered the University’s research activities, including research into the needs of external communities and community-based, participatory and engaged research undertaken in collaboration or partnership with communities.

In addition, the team reviewed the role of University staff in providing consultancy, advisory, technical and commissioned services that contribute to Community Engagement, as well as Kampala University’s role in facilitating dialogue on important public issues.

The availability of meaningful internship opportunities for students was also among the areas examined, alongside the mechanisms for ensuring that students gain practical experience and contribute positively to society.

Evidence Presented by Kampala University

Kampala University presented substantial documentation and evidence in response to the areas highlighted by the NCHE monitoring team. The evidence demonstrated the University’s efforts to institutionalise Community Engagement and integrate it into its teaching, research, innovation and service functions.

The NCHE team expressed appreciation for the evidence presented and acknowledged the efforts being made by Kampala University in advancing Community Engagement.

The team encouraged the University Management to maintain the momentum, continue raising the standard and avoid complacency, stressing the importance of continually strengthening Community Engagement initiatives and their impact on communities.

The monitoring exercise enabled NCHE to assess Kampala University’s Community Engagement journey, institutional development, achievements and continuing areas for improvement.

By Ssekatawa Julius Abubakar
Public Relations Officer, Kampala University