Health 8 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
New TVET Law Sparks Uncertainty Among Health Tutors Over Registration
Health tutors in Uganda face confusion and potential hiring delays due to an unclear registration framework under the new TVET Act, 2025. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/registration-confusion-leaves-health-tutors-uncertain-under-new-law-5452190
The recently enacted Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act, 2025, has been broadly welcomed for aiming to streamline health worker training. However, a lack of clear guidelines on registration and recruitment is causing significant uncertainty for health tutors across the country.
The Medical Education Association of Uganda (MEAU) points out that the new law centralizes training, assessment, and regulation under the TVET Council. Previously, tutors registered with the Ministry of Education and Sports, but now they must register with the TVET Council. This transition has left many tutors unsure of the exact process and requirements.
“Some tutors had already registered with the Ministry of Education, but the mandate has now shifted to the TVET Council. We are waiting for the council to finalise registration guidelines so that all health tutors can comply with the law,” stated Aeron Namaasa, chairperson of MEAU.
Furthermore, the Act shifts the responsibility of recruiting tutors from the Education Service Commission to the governing councils of individual institutions. However, many of these councils are not yet fully established, and recruitment procedures remain undefined, potentially delaying much-needed hiring.
“The governing councils are not yet fully established and guidelines for recruitment are still lacking. This means recruitment may not happen in the near future,” warned Richard Kalanzi, an official from the TVET Council. He highlighted existing severe staffing shortages in both public and private health training institutions, with some public facilities operating at only 30% of their required tutor capacity.
Experts also expressed concerns that the delays and current poor training conditions, such as overcrowded classrooms and lack of equipment, could negatively impact the quality of future healthcare professionals and services.