Private Vocational Institutions Urge Government Partnership Over New Builds

Private technical and vocational institutions have appealed to the Ugandan government to provide direct financial and human resource support, emphasizing their vital role in driving national skilling initiatives and tackling youth unemployment.

The appeal was made by Mr. Horace Muhabuzi, the Director of JJ Excel College in Kigoma, Igara West Constituency, during a recent graduation ceremony that saw 150 students receive their credentials. Mr. Muhabuzi pointed out that private colleges actively complement state efforts to improve household incomes through practical training, yet they continue to operate without government backing.

He suggested that instead of allocating extensive funds to construct new facilities, authorities should partner with operational private centers. He specifically requested that the government deploy tutors to these institutions and place them on the public payroll.

Highlighting the economic contributions of the sector, Mr. Muhabuzi noted that JJ Excel College alone employs 68 staff members and consistently remits Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes. The institution has also stepped in to address the human resource gap left by the phasing out of Primary Teacher Colleges by partnering with Makerere University to offer Early Childhood Education certificates, boasting a remarkable 100 percent employment rate for its graduates.

Serving as the Guest of Honor, Ms. Adrine Kobusingye, the National Chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, lauded the institution’s leadership for investing in youth transformation. She encouraged the new graduates to defy the fear of lacking start-up capital, advising them to utilize government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Meanwhile, Bushenyi District Woman MP Ms. Annet Katusiime Mugisha assured graduates of clear academic progression pathways. She revealed that the government plans to upgrade Kahaya Technical College into a specialized technical and vocational university, enabling certificate and diploma holders to pursue advanced degrees. Read the full story on Daily Monitor.