The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) has begun its November–December 2025 assessment season, rolling out what officials say is one of the most extensive national technical evaluation exercises ever undertaken.
Confirming the start of the series, UVTAB Executive Secretary Mr. Onesmus Oyesigye said the process officially got underway on Friday, November 21, following nationwide candidate briefings conducted by Heads of Centres.
Oyesigye said the board has recorded its highest turnout yet.
“We are pleased to inform the public that the November/December 2025 assessment series has commenced with a total of 137,546 candidates registered to sit for the assessments at 743 centres,” he said.
He noted that the group comprises 80,654 male and 56,892 female candidates—figures that surpass all previous UVTAB cycles. Among these, 22,212 learners will take modular and occupation-level assessments at Levels I and II alongside the Worker’s Pass category.
Mr. Oyesigye emphasized the Board’s efforts to make vocational assessment more inclusive. “As part of enhancing inclusive education, the Board has registered candidates with diverse needs, including amputees, those with chronic illnesses, hearing and visual impairments, intellectual disabilities, and other physical challenges,” he said.
UVTAB will deploy over 150 specialised personnel, including sign language interpreters and transcribers, to support the 338 candidates with special needs.
Ahead of the main assessment period, the Board held preparatory meetings for Area Coordinators and Centre Supervisors on November 14 across Kampala, Mbale, Bushenyi, and Lira. Mr. Oyesigye explained that this is part of wider efforts to ensure strict compliance with national standards.
“A total of 920 Scouts will be deployed to ensure that all assessments are conducted in accordance with the TVET Act No. 3 of 2025, which outlines offences and penalties for involvement in assessment malpractices,” he said.
Additionally, more than 2,500 Practical Assessors for formal TVET and over 1,000 Assessors for informal TVET will be stationed at centres for on-site evaluations.
He added that distribution of examination materials across the country began on Saturday, November 22, with security assistance from the Uganda Police Force.
Mr. Oyesigye also urged centre managers to reinforce compliance mechanisms.
“UVTAB calls upon all heads of centres to put in place assessment task forces to work with our field staff to ensure smooth conduct of the assessments. We also appeal to heads of centres to display candidates’ registers and information on offences and penalties for malpractices to create awareness,” he said.
He warned candidates to avoid any involvement in examination malpractice, stressing: “The Board warns all candidates against involvement in any form of offences that attract severe penalties.”
The steady rise in TVET enrolment has been welcomed by the Board, with officials attributing the growth to greater public awareness about the value of skills-based training. Ms. Jalia Nasaza, Deputy Executive Secretary for Curriculum Development, said more young people are choosing TVET because they see clear career opportunities.
“We are realizing the increase in numbers of students joining and completing TVET because people have understood what TVET is. It is where the jobs are. They are studying hands-on. So the interest is increasing,” she said.
She added that the shift towards an employer-led model is likely to attract even more learners. “We anticipate the numbers to become even higher because training is becoming more practical and job-related. People now understand that TVET leads directly to employment.”
UVTAB’s internal projections have also been surpassed due to the Board’s decision to conduct assessments more frequently throughout the year.
Dr. Wilfred Nahamya, Deputy Executive Secretary, said the oabrd has far exceeded its earlier estimates. “We had thought we were going in a year to assess over 150,000 candidates, but we have gone far beyond that target,” he explained.
“In the May–June series, which included modular and formative assessments, we assessed over 66,000 candidates. From July to September, we assessed over 80,000. And now, as you have already noted, we are assessing over 137,000 in the November–December series.”
Dr. Nahamya attributed part of this growth to the inclusion of new categories of trainees. “Among the students we are going to assess are trainees under the 19 Presidential Hubs. We have already registered them, and we are going to assess them. That has contributed to the increased numbers,” he said.
Learners from the Presidential Initiative for Skilling the Girl and Boy Child are also part of this round. The updated TVET law has played a significant role as well.
“This law has conditioned all TVET providers that regardless of whether the training takes place in universities or not, they will all now be assessed by UVTAB. Universities offering certificates and diploma-level training have joined, and they are many. That too has contributed to the rising numbers,” he added.
The assessment series will continue until December 18, 2025