Uganda’s vocational and technical training institutions are under growing scrutiny after a new report exposed worrying gaps in safety measures that put both learners and instructors at risk. The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) has issued a strong call to action, demanding institutions prioritize safety during training and assessments or risk undermining the sector’s role in tackling youth unemployment.
Recent inspections by UVTAB officials during the July–November assessment cycle revealed troubling scenes at several Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Learners were found conducting practical sessions often involving heavy machinery, sharp tools, and hazardous materials without essential protective gear such as gloves, helmets, or safety boots. In one case at Tororo Technical Institute, a plumbing assessment had to be halted when female learners were observed heating and striking pipes with bare hands, forcing an official to personally buy gloves so the exercise could continue safely.
“These are not theoretical exercises; the risks are real,” warned Narasi Kambaho, UVTAB’s spokesperson. His statement echoes concerns from Dr. Wilfred Nahamya, the Board’s Deputy Executive Secretary, who stressed that the hands-on nature of TVET programs makes safety compliance non-negotiable. A single lapse, he noted, could result in permanent injuries or fatalities.
The issue goes beyond one institution. Across Uganda, financial constraints remain a major barrier to enforcing safety protocols. Many families cannot afford the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), while some learners misuse funds meant for safety gear, further exposing themselves and others to danger. Instructors, too, acknowledge the challenge. “We are working to upgrade our safety measures, but disparities in funding between government-sponsored and private students complicate matters,” admitted Denis Mwesigwa Sserwanja, chief head trainer at Tororo Technical Institute.
Despite these challenges, UVTAB insists that ensuring safe learning environments is critical to unlocking the transformative potential of the TVET sector. Programs in plumbing, welding, carpentry, and electrical installation are vital for equipping youth with employable skills but without safety, their promise risks being overshadowed by preventable accidents.
The Board has pledged to intensify monitoring and partner with institutions, parents, and government to close the gaps. “The future of our youth depends on the quality and safety of the training they receive today,” Dr. Nahamya emphasized. “We must all take responsibility to ensure that no learner or instructor is put at risk.”
With TVET programs positioned as a cornerstone in addressing Uganda’s unemployment crisis, UVTAB’s message is clear: safety is not an option it is the foundation of sustainable skills development.