Private Education Development Network Seeks Partnership with KIU Through MOU

By Hattie Wright

KIU, Main Campus - Kampala International University (KIU) is exploring a formal partnership with the Private Education Development Network (PEDN), a Ugandan non-governmental organisation dedicated to integrating financial education, life skills, and entrepreneurial learning into both formal and informal education systems.

Held at KIU, Main Campus on Monday, 19th October, 2026, Dr. Mundu Mustafa, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, welcomed the PEDN delegation and expressed the university's commitment to strengthening collaborations that enhance student learning and community engagement.

During a courtesy meeting at KIU, Prof. Ngoma Muhammed, Vice Chancellor, welcomed the proposed partnership, noting that collaborations between academia and development organisations are essential in preparing graduates for the realities of the modern workforce. He observed that the university is committed to producing competent, innovative, and socially responsible graduates through practical and community-oriented learning.

Prof. Ngoma expressed confidence that the proposed Memorandum of Understanding would strengthen entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and employability among students while creating meaningful opportunities for research, innovation, internships, and community transformation.

Dr. Mundu Mustafa, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, welcomed the PEDN delegation and expressed the university's commitment to strengthening collaborations that enhance student learning and community engagement.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Mathias Mulumba, KIU's Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) Technical Advisor, noted that the university is actively seeking strategic partners through its CBET framework to promote community engagement and practical learning opportunities.

"KIU, through CBET, is seeking partners to collaborate with formally through community engagement initiatives that strengthen the practical application of learning," he said.

Irene Mutumba, Executive Director of PEDN, highlighted the organisation's mission and its long-standing commitment to transforming education in Uganda.

Established in 2004, PEDN was created to challenge rote learning approaches and promote entrepreneurial thinking among young people. The organisation supports learners to acquire practical skills, create opportunities, and build better futures through financial literacy and entrepreneurship programmes.

"We bring practical financial capability through saving, planning, responsible money management, enterprise development, and access to financial services," Mutumba said.

She added that PEDN's experience in translating learning into practical action aligns well with KIU's vision of producing graduates equipped to address real-world challenges.

Michael Kawagga, PEDN's Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager, emphasised the importance of connecting classroom learning to community realities.

"Community engagement matters because CBET is meaningful when students can demonstrate what they know in real-world contexts," he noted.

Similarly, Marion Mutesi, PEDN Programmes Manager, underscored the value of structured community-based learning experiences.

"The value of community engagement is not simply exposure. It is structured learning that produces observable competencies," she explained.

She further noted that PEDN brings practical experience in turning learning into action, skills, and opportunities, adding that a partnership with KIU could create meaningful avenues for students, interns, and surrounding communities to benefit from hands-on learning experiences.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is expected to provide a framework for collaboration in areas such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship education, community engagement, student internships, and skills development programmes, further advancing KIU's commitment to competence-based education and societal transformation.