The 1st Regional Ministerial Conference on the East African Common Higher Education Area(EACHEA)
The much-anticipated East African Higher Education Area (EACHEA) Conference 2025 officially opened today, 9th September, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. The three-day conference, running until 11th September, has convened education leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the East African Community. It is organized by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), with support from key sector partners. The Guest of Honour, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, presided over the opening, reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to advancing higher education as a catalyst for regional development. Guided by the theme: “Enhancing Regional Integration through Harmonized Higher Education Systems for Sustainable Development in East Africa,” the conference sets a clear agenda for collaboration in the sector.
Central to the deliberations is the collective aspiration to harmonize higher education systems within the region. Delegates are addressing challenges that hinder the free movement of students and academic staff across national borders, while also emphasizing the need for academic mobility and stronger institutional linkages. A priority of the conference is the mutual recognition of academic qualifications, ensuring that credentials obtained in any of the eight partner states are valid throughout the bloc. This step is seen as fundamental in creating a cohesive academic space that nurtures excellence and competitiveness.
Government ministers and senior education officials will be reviewing policy frameworks to accelerate harmonisation and to reinforce regional agreements. These commitments are expected to strengthen East Africa’s position in the global knowledge economy by fostering a more dynamic, innovative, and sustainable higher education landscape. The ultimate goal is to ensure that graduates from East Africa can confidently compete at regional and international levels, while universities continue to serve as engines of integration and sustainable development.
Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is strongly represented at this continental platform. As one of the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) in Uganda, UMU’s delegation is led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa. The university is showcasing a range of innovations under the ACALISE Project at its Faculty of Agriculture, reflecting UMU’s contribution to applied research and regional problem-solving in areas such as agribusiness, food security, and sustainability. Through this presence, UMU affirms its role as a strategic partner not only within Uganda but also in shaping higher education and research that respond to the development needs of the East African region and beyond.
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