Kateregga Warns Against Social Media Misuse, Pushes for Competence-Based Education Shift

Prof Badru Dungu Kateregga, founding Vice Chancellor of Kampala University, voiced strong concerns over the rising negative use of social media by Ugandan youth. He pointed out how platforms such as X, TikTok, and WhatsApp are increasingly hosting abuse, false information, and damaging material rather than fostering progress.

Kateregga advised young people to harness digital tools positively for job creation, research, creativity, and broader development. He stressed responsible digital citizenship as a collective effort to cultivate a respectful online environment.

These issues tie into the theme of the university’s upcoming 23rd graduation: ‘Empowering a New Generation: AI, Innovation, and Sustainable Development.’ The event on Thursday will see 3,514 graduands, including 1,812 females and 1,702 males, with over 242 nurses from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Students hail from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Sudan, DR Congo, and Nigeria.

On education reforms, Kateregga revealed that Kampala University has submitted updated programs to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for approval under the new competence-based curriculum, due by August 2027. The institution began integrating practical elements early to produce job-ready graduates capable of tackling real-world challenges.

NCHE’s push for competence-based learning aims to create self-reliant professionals across all fields. Dr Vincent Aloysius Ssembatya, NCHE’s Director for Quality Assurance, emphasized during Education Week in Gulu that outdated programs will bar future admissions post-deadline. He noted that while areas like medicine and engineering already emphasize practice, all disciplines must now follow suit.

Kateregga endorsed the changes, arguing they align primary and higher education to equip learners as problem-solvers essential for Uganda’s growth.

Source: Daily Monitor