education 14 August 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Ugandan MPs Champion Technical Education Reform for Youth Employment
Members of Parliament are advocating for a significant shift in Uganda's education system towards technical and vocational training to address the mismatch between graduate skills and labor market demands. The call was made at the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa conference, highlighting concerns over youth unemployment and the need for practical competencies. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4559/lawmakers-make-case-technical-and-vocational-education
Ugandan lawmakers are pushing for a curriculum overhaul, emphasizing technical and vocational education to better equip the nation’s youth for the job market. This strong call for reform was made at the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa conference held in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The Ugandan delegation, led by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth, pointed out a critical disconnect between the skills imparted by the education system and the practical requirements of employers. This mismatch, they argue, is hindering young Ugandans from reaching their full potential and contributing to the economy.
Hon. Emely Kugonza presented a paper arguing that Uganda’s current education model, a legacy of colonial times, is geared towards export-oriented production rather than self-sufficiency. This has resulted in graduates with academic qualifications but lacking the hands-on skills demanded by industries like engineering and vocational trades. Kugonza warned that failing to address this skills gap could lead to a “loss of demographic opportunity” with dire consequences for peace and security.
While acknowledging government efforts like the shift to competency-based learning in secondary schools and the expansion of Business, Technical, and Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) institutions, MPs stressed the need for further action. Hon. Fortunate Nantongo advocated for integrating skilling from primary levels and ensuring adequate funding for technical institutes. Hon. Bernard Otim proposed transforming all learning institutions into skilling centers to absorb the unemployed youth.
Hon. Silas Aogon urged Parliament to ensure the effective implementation of the TVET Act and to allocate sufficient budgets to skilling programs, viewing them as crucial for wealth creation and solving youth unemployment. The MPs collectively framed these reforms as vital for renewing the social contract between the government and its citizens, ensuring that Uganda’s growing youth population becomes an asset rather than a burden.
Source: Parliament of Uganda