The Chairperson of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, Allen Kagina, has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to transforming its youthful population into a skilled and employable workforce through strengthened technical and vocational education systems.
Speaking to Canary Mugume during NBS Face Off on Sunday, Kagina highlighted the country’s shift from viewing its large youth population as a demographic challenge to embracing it as a “demographic dividend” through targeted skilling initiatives.
Kagina noted that a significant number of learners currently fall off the formal education track after primary or secondary school. To address this gap, the newly enacted TVET Act introduces mechanisms to identify, track, and reintegrate such learners into technical and vocational training pathways.
“We now have a legal framework designed to ensure that no learner is left behind. The Act enables us to systematically trace those who drop out and bring them into relevant skills training programmes that prepare them for employment,” she said.
The Council is currently finalising regulations to operationalise the Act. Key priorities include the registration, licensing, and accreditation of training providers, particularly private institutions, many of which operate informally. Ensuring quality and standardisation across all providers is central to the reform agenda.
Kagina emphasised that Uganda’s skilling programmes must be demand-driven to align with labour market needs. She also called for a national mindset shift regarding vocational education, noting that many parents prioritise university degrees over practical skills training.
“In our society, vocational training is often seen as a last resort for those who do not excel academically. This perception must change. When learners access well-equipped, reputable institutions offering high-quality training, vocational education becomes a pathway to success, not failure,” she said.
The TVET Act also empowers the Council to establish and manage a Skills Development Fund, as well as mobilise additional resources through partnerships, donations, and external investments. This diversified funding approach aims to bridge existing financial gaps in the sector.
Expanding access to training institutions across all districts remains a critical goal. Kagina acknowledged that limited infrastructure and long distances to existing centres have hindered enrolment, particularly in rural areas.
“We must ensure that every Ugandan has access to skills training within their locality,” she said. “Accessibility is key to inclusion and national development,” she said.
Uganda has benchmarked its TVET reforms against international best practices from countries such as Kenya, Malaysia, and Germany, with Kagina noting that Kenya’s progress in vocational training offers valuable lessons.
Despite these efforts, she acknowledged that funding remains insufficient to fully realise the sector’s ambitions. However, she expressed optimism that innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships will help bridge the gap.
“We may not get there solely through government budgets. But through collaboration and strategic investment, we are confident Uganda will build a robust, responsive, and inclusive skilling system,” she said.
