Mountains of the Moon University is pleased to be part of the PLEDGE Project Proliferation of Local Expertise in Development of Green-growth Economy, an initiative aimed at strengthening Uganda’s higher education system to support green growth, sustainable agri-food value chains, tourism development, and youth employability.
The project responds to Uganda’s need for a more practical, competence based higher education system that equips graduates with relevant skills for the modern labour market. It focuses on strengthening the connection between universities, government, industry, farming communities, and tourism actors to ensure that education contributes directly to national development priorities.
PLEDGE supports the development of green sectoral skills, strategies, and methodologies in higher education, with particular attention to coffee, horticulture, tourism, sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and green jobs.
Uganda’s agriculture and tourism sectors remain central to national development, employment creation, and household income growth. However, challenges such as limited practical training, weak university-industry linkages, climate change, low productivity, limited value addition, and skills mismatch continue to affect the country’s ability to fully benefit from these sectors.
Through PLEDGE, Mountains of the Moon University and its partners seek to promote a more practical, industry-responsive, and environmentally responsible higher education model. The project emphasizes competence-based training, work-based learning, placements, teacher professional development, and stronger collaboration between higher education institutions and key sector players.
The overall objective of PLEDGE is to contribute to the development of a coherent, inclusive, and sustainable higher education system in Uganda that responds to the country’s socio-economic needs and supports the ambition of building a knowledge-driven green economy.
The project seeks to:
PLEDGE will focus on:
The project is expected to contribute to improved graduate employability, stronger practical skills, better alignment between academic programmes and industry needs, and enhanced university contribution to sustainable development.
PLEDGE will also support the establishment of stronger collaboration platforms between higher education institutions, industry actors, government agencies, farmers, tourism stakeholders, and development partners. This will help ensure that research, training, and innovation from universities are translated into practical solutions for communities and the economy.
The project is built around environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It promotes environmentally responsible agri-food value chains, responsible tourism practices, reduced waste, improved resource use, and stronger community engagement.
By strengthening higher education systems, building staff capacity, and promoting industry-linked training, PLEDGE is expected to create long-term benefits for students, universities, employers, farmers, tourism actors, and communities.
As a coordinating institution, Mountains of the Moon University will contribute its academic, research, leadership, and community engagement expertise to support the successful implementation of the project. The University’s participation reflects its commitment to innovation, sustainable development, practical education, and service to society.
Through PLEDGE, MMU continues to position itself as a key contributor to Uganda’s green transformation agenda and the development of graduates who are equipped with the skills, values, and practical competencies required for the future of work.