Compared to the old days, vocational and technical institutes are highly appreciated today. This is because of the high rates of unemployment in the country that have affected the university graduates most.
The good thing with acquiring technical and vocational skills is the ability to employ yourself, and many others with these skills, compared to the university skills that are more theoretical than practical. The list below contains ten of the most recommended vocational institutes in Uganda.
1. Ntinda Vocational Training institute
Ntinda Vocational Training Institute (NTVTI) is a public institution under the Ministry of Education and Sports, whose establishment was as a result of combined efforts between the governments of Uganda and South Korea.
The institute was commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Sports in 2018, and offers a wide range of technical and vocational courses, producing students that are fit for Uganda’s market.
2. Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba
Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK) is a specialized center for training, research and consultancy in the field of petroleum exploration, recovery, refinement and responsible utilization. Its foundation was inspired by the discovery of oil in Uganda.
It is owned and maintained by the government of Uganda, and it is occupied by over 100 students.
3. Uganda Technical College Kichwamba
Uganda Technical College, Kichwamba is one of the oldest government-owned technical colleges in Uganda. It was established in 1947 and currently has a population of over 700 students.
It is known for providing education in the field of engineering, offering diploma courses.
4. Bukalasa Agricultural Training institute
Bukalasa Agricultural training institute (BATI) is a government-owned vocational training institute, located in the neighborhood of Bukalasa.
Since its establishment in 1920, BATI has been offering both certificate and diploma agriculture-related courses. It is currently occupied by over 700 students.
5. Uganda Technical college Elgon
Located in the heart of Mbale district, eastern Uganda, Uganda Technical College is a government-owned tertiary institution, offering certificates and diplomas in a variety of technical courses.
For all its time of operation, it has attracted students from all regions in Uganda, and is one of the best in the East.
6. Uganda technical college Bushenyi
Founded by the Ankole Kingdom Government in 1956, UTC, Bushenyi was initially known as Kahaya Memorial Rural Trade School. Later in 1984, it was given its current name.
It’s solely hell-bent on producing leading scientists and engineers in the country, and is well known in the Western region as one of the best engineering schools.
7. Uganda technical college Lira
Uganda Technical College, Lira is the leading technical institute in Lira District and one of the leaders in the Acholi sub-region.
It is owned by the government and provides a wide range of certificate and diploma courses including ICT, civil engineering, electrical engineering, etc
8. Nakawa vocational training institute
Nakawa Vocational Training Institute is a public vocational training institute owned and operated by the ministry of Educatoin and Sports.
Since it was founded in 1971, the institute continues to produce some of the best job creators and hands-on workers into the Ugandan jo market, hundreds every year.
9. Uganda hotel and tourism training institute
Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute is a government-owned vocational institute whose primary aim upon foundation is to train and educate personnel in the hospitality and tourism industry.
It was founded in 1989 in Jinja, Uganda with a major aim of boosting the tourism industry by creating well-trained professionals and deploying them into the industry.
10. Buganda royal institute of business and technical education, Mengo
Buganda Royal Institute of Business and Technical Education (BRIBTE) was founded in 1999 by the Buganda government, with the aim of providing applicable skills to young people in the country.
It has a wide range of technical courses and is attended by thousands of students from all over the country.
Final Thoughts;
I have witnessed so many students attain prestigious degrees from good universities in Uganda, only to enroll into a vocational institute to get at least a certificate in one or two curses that are applicable and fit for the job market of Uganda. Even though secondary schools have tried to incorporate some of these technical courses into the curriculum, the vocational institutes remain irreplaceable.