President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady, Hon Janet Kataha Museveni have today attended the inaugural Regional Ministerial Conference on the East African Community Common Higher Education Area.
The high-level forum is focused on critical discussions to align regional education systems, enhance academic mobility, drive digital transformation, and foster innovation—all essential pillars for building a sustainable future for East Africa.
The Ministerial Conference on the East African Common Higher Education Area (EACHEA) started today September 9th and will end on 11th 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The conference was convened by the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon Janet Kataha Museveni under the theme “Enhancing the EAC Regional Integration Through Harmonised Higher Education Systems for Sustainable Development in East Africa.”
According to organisers, the conference has brought together higher education stakeholders from the eight East African Community (EAC) member states to deliberate on key issues such as harmonising higher education systems, promoting academic mobility and strengthening regional cooperation.
According to the Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education Professor Mary Okwakol emphasized the significance of the gathering saying that it is the first time East Africa is hosting a Ministerial-level conference dedicated to building a common higher education area. It provides a historic opportunity for us to shape the future of education in the region.
“Through harmonised systems, we aim to ensure that qualifications are recognised across borders, making it easier for students, lecturers, and researchers to move freely and contribute to development across East Africa,” Prof Okwakol explained.
The conference is jointly organised by the East Africa Community Forum for Chief Executive Officers of Commissions for Higher Education and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).
