How USAID and Uganda partnered to establish an education institution to train the country’s future leaders (UMI).

Since its inception, USAID has collaborated with Uganda’s universities, like Makerere University, and institutes of higher education to support the country’s professional workforce and future leaders. In 1969, USAID played a pivotal role in advancing Uganda’s professional education by helping to establish the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) in Kampala, including building a dual-purpose administration block with lecture halls, offices, and short-term accommodation for students. The goal was to equip local administrators with the skills to lead the country’s institutions during the post-independence era. As Peter Kibazo, UMI’s Public Relations Manager, explains,

“UMI was founded with a bold vision to empower local administrators, arming them with the critical skills needed to steer institutions into the future, post-independence. Our mission was, and still is, to cultivate leadership excellence”.

USAID’s contribution laid the groundwork for a leadership development and training institution that would shape Uganda’s future. According to Kibazo, “In the last ten years, we have had over 30,000 students graduate,” reflecting UMI’s enduring impact.

Over the last 55 years, UMI has cemented its reputation as one of Uganda’s leading centres for postgraduate education, with several distinguished alumni serving in leadership roles in business and government.

Reflecting on USAID’s role, Kibazo notes, “USAID’s grant was not just a construction project; it was the cornerstone of our transformation. It laid the foundation for our training programs, setting a benchmark that continues to elevate both the institution and Uganda as a whole”.

Today, USAID continues its partnership with UMI through the Empower Uganda NGO Leadership Program, furthering USAID’s long-standing commitment to local capacity-building and sustainable development.