“Strategic Management in Addressing Uganda’s Unemployment Crisis: The Role of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Bridging the Skills Gap between Primary and Higher Education”

Uganda’s unemployment crisis continues to escalate, with a growing number of university graduates unable to secure employment due to a skills mismatch. The traditional Knowledge-Based Curriculum (KBC) has focused on theoretical learning, leaving graduates underprepared for the practical demands of the labor market. The introduction of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in primary education offers a promising solution to this challenge by emphasizing practical, real-world skills over rote memorization. However, while CBC has been implemented at the primary education level, higher education institutions remain largely focused on the KBC, exacerbating the skills gap. This research explores the role of Strategic Management in facilitating the integration of CBC into higher education in Uganda. By employing strategic management theories such as Porter’s Five Forces, Resource-Based View (RBV), and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the study investigates how universities can align their curricula with labor market demands. The paper identifies strategic challenges and opportunities in curriculum redesign, faculty development, and industry partnerships. By leveraging strategic management, universities can improve graduate employability, align education with market needs, and contribute to reducing Uganda’s unemployment crisis.