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Proliferation of Local Expertise in Development of Green-growth Economy (PLEDGE)

Proliferation of Local Expertise in Development of Green-growth Economy (PLEDGE)

Project Aim

The overarching aim of the PLEDGE project is to contribute to developing coherent, inclusive, and sustainable higher education in Uganda to meet its socio-economic needs and broad ambition to create a knowledge driven economy. The project specifically focuses on introducing green sectoral skills, creating sectoral university academic councils, and developing teacher training to support sustainable agri-food value chains and green jobs.

Project Objectives

  1. To support introduction of green sectoral skills, strategies and methodologies in HE.

  2. To support creation of 3 sectoral university-academic councils on coffee, horticulture and tourism supporting sustainable agri-food value chains and green jobs.

  3. To develop and promote teacher CPD training on EntreComp methods in teaching and training conducive to supporting sustainable agri-food value chains and green jobs.

Project Outcome

The project is expected to produce several tangible outcomes, including: a National policy on greening sectoral skills, strategies and methodologies in HE; a Green Competence Framework in HE; Quality Assurance mechanisms for Green competence framework; 3 sectoral industry-education councils on coffee, horticulture and tourism; National Guidelines for green, competence-based practice and placements; Standards and Procedures for Model Internship/Placement Centers and National Training Excellence Centers; 3 National Training Excellence Centers for coffee, horticulture and tourism; CPD training design with Practicum on EntreComp methodic; a National Team of Trainers on EntreComp; and dual education courses introduced in selected agricultural and tourism colleges. The long-term impact aims to be a shift towards competence-based education, improved graduate employability, strengthened linkages between HEIs and industry, and sustainable economic growth in Uganda’s agri-food and tourism sectors.

Team Members

  • Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga (MMU) – Project Coordinator, CEO & Vice Chancellor

  • Joshua Wesana (MMU) – Team Member, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

  • Violet Kisakye (MMU) – Team Member, Senior Researcher

  • Dr. Jacob Kaingo (MMU) – Team Member, Senior Lecturer

  • Mary Deous Ekyaligonza (MMU) – Team Member, PhD in Natural Resource Management

  • Edmond Kagambe (MMU) – Team Member, PhD in Educational Administration

  • Dr. Martin Mulei (MMU) – Team Member, Teacher Trainer and Curriculum Designer

  • Ms. Christine Kobugabe (MMU) – Team Member, Senior Grants Officer

  • Prof. Dr. Ralf Schlauderer (HSWT) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Professor in Farm Management

  • Dragan Brković (MSc) (HSWT) – Team Member, Project Coordinator

  • Joachim Weber (MSc) (HSWT) – Team Member, Research Assistant

  • Johanna Menhorn (HSWT) – Team Member, Administrative Staff

  • Xavier Gellynck (UGent) – Team Member, Professor in Economics and Marketing

  • Hans De Steur (UGent) – Team Member, Researcher

  • Guido Van Huylenbroeck (UGent) – Team Member, PhD in Agricultural Economics

  • Berre Deltomme (UGent) – Team Member, Postdoctoral Researcher

  • Marcia Dutra de Barcellos (UGent) – Team Member, Associate Professor

  • Margo Degieter (UGent) – Team Member, Postdoctoral Researcher

  • Jelena Nastić Stojanović (WEBIN) – Institutional Project Coordinator, CEO and ToT Trainer

  • Marko Stojanović (WEBIN) – Team Member, Head of Project Training Academy

  • Sanja Kovačević (WEBIN) – Team Member, Specialist on Education for Sustainable Development

  • Dragana Jovanović (WEBIN) – Team Member, Communication/Dissemination Specialist

  • Jasmina Radoičić (WEBIN) – Team Member, Finance/Procurement Specialist

  • Vesna Milovanović (UNIKG) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Associate Professor

  • Vladimir Senić (UNIKG) – Team Member, Dean of Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism

  • Nataša Đorđević (UNIKG) – Team Member, Assistant Professor

  • Marijana Seoćanac (UNIKG) – Team Member, Assistant Professor

  • Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa (UMU) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Vice Chancellor

  • Joseph Ssekandi (UMU) – Team Member, Senior Researcher

  • Dr. Bosco Bwambale (UMU) – Team Member, Environmental Studies Scholar

  • Mukwaya Samuel (UMU) – Team Member, Senior Finance Officer

  • Allan Brian Ssembajjwe (UMU) – Team Member, Enterprise Development Consultant

  • Marie Goretti Nakitende (UMU) – Team Member, Senior Lecturer in Management & Entrepreneurship

  • Florence Nassimbwa (UMU) – Team Member, Biologist and Lecturer

  • Ms. Lilian Ajambo (UMU) – Team Member, Senior Projects Officer

  • Ms. Agnes Nabisibo (UMU) – Team Member, Senior Assistant Registrar

  • Gelvan Kisolo Lule (BAC) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Principal

  • Robinah Atukunda (BAC) – Team Member, Head of Department of Agriculture

  • Enoch Kayongo Abigaba (BAC) – Team Member, Industry Liaison Officer

  • Vincent Ssembatya (NCHE) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Director Quality Assurance and Accreditation

  • Richard Ouma (NCHE) – Team Member, Principal Quality Assurance Officer

  • Martin Iremaut Osikei (NCHE) – Team Member, Senior Higher Education Officer

  • Dr. Cosmas Muhumuza (NCHE) – Team Member, Researcher

  • Dr. Patience Rwamigisa (MAAIF) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Assistant Commissioner

  • Dr. Angella Namyenya (MAAIF) – Team Member, Senior Agricultural Extension Skills Management Officer

  • Dr. Dorcas Loga (MAAIF) – Team Member, Senior Grants Officer

  • Odongo Francis (MIST) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Head of MIST

  • Ebidu Moses (MIST) – Team Member, Lecturer

  • Ms Aceng Juliet (MIST) – Team Member, Academic Registrar

  • Orima Sunnie (MIST) – Team Member, ICT Graduate

  • Florian Knaus (BIOU) – Institutional Project Coordinator, Mechanical Engineer

  • Samuel Baluku (BIOU) – Team Member, Civil Engineer

  • Mr. Mumazil Mukwatampola (MoES) – Institutional Project Coordinator, EU Erasmus National Focal Point

  • Timothy Musoke Ssejjoba (MoES) – Team Member, Assistant Commissioner

Project Period
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Project Funder
The European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically the Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action under Call: ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-3.

Project Leadership
The project is coordinated by Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga from Mountains of the Moon University (MMU). He serves as the project coordinator and is responsible for overseeing the overall implementation, strategic direction, and reporting. He is supported by a consortium of partners and a structured management framework.

Principal Investigator
Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga