KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ugandan government has implemented stricter requirements for individuals seeking to serve as instructors or lecturers at technical vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, mandating that trainers maintain active ties to the industries they teach.
Under the new TVET law, which went into effect last month, all TVET trainers, including both instructors and lecturers, must be actively practicing their respective trades within industry. For example, a plumbing instructor will now be required to work with a plumbing firm, while those teaching electrical or mechanical engineering must be employed by companies offering those services.
The legislation also introduces penalties for non-compliance. Individuals who improperly recruit or appoint TVET trainers face fines up to 100 million shillings (approximately $26,500 USD) or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Institutions hiring trainers in violation of the law could be fined up to 200 million shillings.
The new law also mandates the registration of all prospective TVET trainers with the TVET council, the sector’s regulatory body. A key prerequisite for registration is the completion of basic andragogy training, which focuses on adult learning principles to ensure effective knowledge and skills transfer. Trainers will also undergo vocational fit assessments to verify their competence in their specific fields. Furthermore, the law requires trainers to participate in continuous professional development programs as prescribed by the council, with potential deregistration for non-compliance.
Speaking at the opening of TVET exhibitions in Kampala on Monday, Peter Ogwang, the state minister for sports, emphasized that linking TVET with industry aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen TVET to produce a workforce that is skilled, innovative and ready for the challenges of a dynamic and competitive global economy,” Ogwang said. “A TVET system that is employer-led ensures that the training provided is aligned to the current and emerging demands of the industries.”
Ogwang added that requiring industry attachment for all instructors will bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace expectations. He noted the Ministry of Education and Sports’ commitment to reforms that involve employers in curriculum design, internships, and final assessments. Other reforms include promoting apprenticeship programs, equipping TVET institutions with modern equipment, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Brighton Barugahare, the commissioner of education policy and research at the ministry, explained that the industrial attachment requirement aims to address the issue of “theoretical TVET.”
“Under the new law, having a degree in physics or engineering is not enough to teach electrical or mechanical engineering. You must be working in those fields to train a student,” Barugahare said.
He noted that while the government has invested in modern equipment for TVET institutions, much of it remains unused due to instructors lacking practical industry experience. Industry-attached trainers are expected to better utilize these facilities.
Dr. Eddy Turyatemba, the assistant commissioner for vocational education and training, emphasized that industry attachment will provide students with crucial hands-on experience. He added that proof of ongoing industrial attachment will be required for the TVET council to renew a trainer’s license, which will be renewable every three years.
The concept of strong industry links in TVET is common in countries like China, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ethiopia, and Germany, where industry experts play active roles in training, curriculum development, and policy.
Several TVET trainers expressed support for the new law. Onesmus Tumuhimbise, a value addition instructor, noted that his own piggery farm allows him to provide real-world skills to students. Sumini Nakagwa, a plumbing instructor who also offers private plumbing services, believes the law will help instructors stay current with industry technologies. Jasper Watson Ocen, an agriculture department head, said industrial attachment fosters innovation. Many trainers also noted that working in their fields would supplement their income.
Irene Nakabuubi, an electrical installation lecturer, stated that industry attachment will enhance their instructional skills by providing relevant, up-to-date knowledge. She added that the lack of hands-on skills among trainers has historically hindered the quality of TVET in Uganda. The new regulations include a provision for instructors to take two-month industry breaks annually.
The objective of the new law is to ensure that TVET students gain practical, real-world experience before graduation, better preparing them for the demands of the job market.
