By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
MBARARA
Nyamitanga Technical Institute in Mbarara buzzed with energy as students from technical Institutes across the western region gathered to showcase their talents in a regional World Skills competition aimed at promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The event, organized by World Skills Uganda, brought together young innovators in fields such as bricklaying, woodwork and joinery, tailoring, plumbing, electrical installation, and automotive mechanics.
Participants hailed from various institutions across the western region, including Nyakatare Technical Institute in Kanungu, Nyamitanga Technical Institute in Mbarara City, Rugando Technical Institute in Rwampara, Kibatsi Technical Institute in Ntungamo District, and Kyamuhunga Technical Institute in Bushenyi, among others.
Mukama Osbert, Chief Expert and bricklaying trainer, emphasized the importance of the competition in bridging the gap between classroom learning and global market demands. “World Skills came in to enhance the skills students acquire from school and prepare them to compete globally,” he said. Participants were given six hours to complete their tasks, with judges assessing not only time management but also neatness, safety, and professionalism.
Niwebwesigye Alberick, Academic Registrar at Nyamitanga Technical Institute, highlighted the competition’s role in evaluating the relevance of classroom instruction against real-world expectations. “This increases students’ exposure and helps us test what we teach,” he noted. Winners from the regional contest will advance to the national level, with top performers earning the honor of representing Uganda at the World Skills competition in China in September 2026.
Jackson Kuucha, CEO of World Skills Uganda, stressed the urgency of promoting TVET among youth. “Where there are no skills, there is unemployment,” he said. “We are encouraging students to embrace technical education because it empowers them to create their own jobs.” He also urged students to complement their technical expertise with soft skills to compete effectively on the international stage.
However, the event was not without criticism. Bafaki Gilvas, Principal of Nyamitanga Technical Institute, expressed disappointment in institutions that failed to field participants. “Some principals said their students feared the competition, which is a sign they are not being taught well,” he lamented. He warned that such institutions risk losing their licenses if they continue to neglect skill development.
The competition not only celebrated technical excellence but also served as a wake-up call to educators and institutions to prioritize hands-on training and prepare students for a future where skills are the currency of opportunity.
