Education Leaders Emphasize Practical Skills Over Qualifications to Curb Unemployment

As the global labor market shifts toward a modern skills economy, education leaders in Uganda are emphasizing that practical competencies are far more critical for securing employment than traditional academic papers. During the second graduation ceremony of Kibatsi Technical Institute in Ntungamo District, stakeholders stressed the urgent need to boost vocational education to tackle youth unemployment.

Onesimus Oyesigye, the executive director of the Uganda Vocational and Technical Examinations Board, noted that employers today no longer rely solely on academic transcripts. He explained that the modern job market demands demonstrated ability, noting that skills are essential for defeating poverty and solving community problems.

“They used to ask us for qualifications, now you present the paper and they ask you what you can do,” Dr Oyesigye stated. He also advised parents whose children hold degrees but remain jobless to encourage them to enroll in technical institutions to enhance their marketability.

Echoing these sentiments, Samuel Bagombeka, the Ministry of Education and Sports commissioner for technical and vocational education, pointed out that the sector has transitioned to demand-driven training, yet the appetite for skilled professionals remains remarkably high. Local leaders, including Ntungamo District chairperson Samuel Mucunguzi and Kajara County MP James Hunter Byenjeru, further advocated for integrating vocational programs into mainstream schools and introducing policies that tie academic awards to verified technical proficiencies.

A total of 765 students graduated during the event across various disciplines such as electrical installation, welding, metal fabrication, and carpentry, underscoring the expanding role of technical institutes in shaping Uganda’s workforce.

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