The Deputy Executive Secretary of Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board [UVTAB], Dr Wilfred Nahamya. Photo | Rashul Adidi
What you need to know:
- Dr Nahamya said while government emphasizes sciences, making Arts appear useless, the country should train only the number of graduates needed for available jobs
Government should shift from over-emphasis on sciences and prioritize practical hands-on skills to fight youth unemployment, the Deputy Executive Secretary of Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board [UVTAB], Dr Wilfred Nahamya, has said.
Dr Nahamya said while government emphasizes sciences, making Arts appear useless, the country should train only the number of graduates needed for available jobs at bachelor's level, while majority of youth take up skilling to become self-employed.
"Why should Uganda keep importing workers yet we can train our own through vocational centres? It's not the number of degrees. Development studies may not be useless, but if every university produces 200 every year, where will you put them? We need more people in skilling areas to increase youth employability," Nahamya said.
He was speaking Saturday at the 3rd graduation of Sisters of Providence Vocational School in Nebbi, where 289 students graduated in tailoring, hairdressing, bakery, carpentry, motor vehicle mechanics among others.
"Skilling is a broader government reform developed in 2019 and operationalized in 2025 to skill young people and reduce youth unemployment," he said, noting technical training has become essential to revive youth hopes for employability.
Nahamya warned agencies against overcharging students during industrial training.
"Some agencies that are supposed to support students in industrial training charge them. The new law has made employers central in curriculum review, and government will come up with an industrial training policy and fund to support students. A well-trained person benefits the employer," he said.
He was responding to complaints that West Nile Rural Electrification Company charges students pursuing electrical courses.
He urged parents to enroll children only in TVET-accredited institutions to get recognized certificates.
Nebbi Municipality Mayor Jackline Opera said Nebbi has no government-aided vocational institute despite many school dropouts.
"It is government policy that every district should have a government-aided vocational institute, however Nebbi doesn't have. Now that we have Providence, I urge young people to skill themselves to be self-reliant," said Resident District Commissioner Robert Abak.
Sr Emma Mudrik of the Daughters of Providence told graduates to be pillars of transformation in their communities.
Director Sr Loyce Otyeka Emmanuelle said the school has grown from 89 graduates in the first cohort, to 160 in the second, and now 289, and plans to introduce more market-driven courses.
Graduate Kevin Bambu said: "I am a single mother who dropped out in 2014. I stayed home until I was told about this school. I joined and today I am graduating in tailoring. This will make me self-reliant and transform my community."