The African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) successfully held its 2025 Governing Board Meetings and Annual General Meeting (AGM) from June 23rd to 27th, 2025, at its Headquarters based at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Juja, Kenya. These meetings brought together senior government officials, university vice chancellors, country directors, and technical experts from the three AICAD member states—Kenya, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania—to deliberate on the Institute’s strategic direction, financial health, and organizational development.
📌 Day 1 – Technical Committee Meeting (June 23, 2025)
The week kicked off with the Technical Committee Meeting, which focused on programmatic alignment, ongoing project evaluation, and knowledge transfer strategies. The session was chaired by experienced academic leaders and saw participation from:
- Prof. Dominic Byarugaba, outgoing AICAD Executive Director
- Prof. James Njiru, incoming Executive Director
- Prof. Victoria Ngumi, Vice Chancellor, JKUAT
- Prof. Julius Nyabundi, Vice Chancellor, Maseno University
- Mr. Muleli Mutuku, Chairperson, Admin, Finance & Planning Committee (AFPC)
The day emphasized harmonization of technical strategies across partner institutions and reviewed outcomes of key community empowerment and training programs supported by AICAD.
📌 Day 2 – Administration, Finance & Planning Committee (June 24, 2025)
This session was chaired by Mr. Muleli Mutuku, with participation from:
- Prof. Victoria Ngumi, JKUAT
- Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor, Busitema University
- Country Directors from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania
Key focus areas included:
- Review of the 2024/2025 budget and audit outcomes
- Sustainability strategies for donor-supported programs
- Human resources and institutional development updates
The committee commended the financial discipline maintained across AICAD operations and proposed resource mobilization measures for 2025/2026.
📌 Day 3 – Audit Committee Meeting (June 25, 2025)
Chaired by Prof. Paul Waako, this meeting provided detailed internal audit reports, compliance updates, and operational risk analysis. It also underscored improvements made in procurement, project implementation, and accountability frameworks.
Country Directors from Uganda, Kenya, and the United Republic of Tanzania shared progress updates on localized activities and challenges affecting implementation of projects in their respective jurisdictions.
📌 Days 4 & 5 – Governing Board and Annual General Meeting (June 26–27, 2025)
These high-level sessions brought together top leadership from the partner governments and academic institutions. The Board and AGM sessions were graced by:
- Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
- Prof. Daniel Mushi, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, United Republic of Tanzania
- Mr. James Muchiri, Representative of the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Prof. Victoria Ngumi, Vice Chancellor, JKUAT
- Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor, Busitema University
- Prof. Julius Nyabundi, Vice Chancellor, Maseno University
- AICAD Country Directors and senior technical staff
✅ Key Deliberations and Outcomes:
- Leadership Transition: The Board formally endorsed Prof. James Njiru as the new Executive Director of AICAD, succeeding Prof. Dominic Byarugaba, whose term concluded in June. A ceremonial handover took place during the AGM, symbolizing a smooth and well-structured transition in AICAD’s top leadership.
- Programmatic Evaluation: Reports from all committees were tabled and discussed. Notable progress was recorded in training-of-trainers (ToT) programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, and agricultural innovation support, particularly in rural communities.
- Policy Alignment and Strategic Planning: Ministries of Education from the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional integration and sustainable development. They pledged continued support for AICAD as a hub for regional knowledge sharing and capacity development.
🎤 Recognizing Government Leadership and Regional Commitment
The presence of Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda from Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports, and Prof. Daniel Mushi, Deputy Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Education, United Republic of Tanzania, was a significant endorsement of AICAD’s role in advancing higher education and practical skills development across East Africa.
Both dignitaries actively participated in deliberations and offered valuable insights into national priorities, reinforcing their ministries’ commitment to regional collaboration through AICAD. Their contributions helped shape policy directions for the upcoming year and emphasized the importance of harmonized educational strategies across borders.
🌟 Looking Ahead
The 2025 AICAD Governing Board meetings underscored the Institute’s steady progress and strategic value to the East African region. With a renewed leadership team, solid financial systems, and enthusiastic government support, AICAD is poised to deepen its impact in 2026 and beyond.
“We are proud of the legacy being passed on and the trust bestowed upon AICAD by our partner states. Together, we are building an institution that serves as a model for regional integration, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development.”
— Prof. James Njiru, Executive Director, AICAD
