The Government has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) training as part of a broader reform of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes aimed at producing a highly skilled workforce that meets modern industry demands.
Speaking during an orientation workshop for trainers, Oyesigye said the new specialised programmes will equip learners with practical skills that can be directly applied in workplaces, improving opportunities for employment, career growth and entrepreneurship.
He explained that the new curricula were developed through extensive consultations with employers, industry stakeholders and practitioners, making them fundamentally employer-led. The curriculum design also considered technological advancements, occupational safety standards, environmental requirements and emerging industry trends.
Under the reforms, TVET institutions will shift from traditional trainer-centred teaching methods to competency-based and learner-centred approaches. Greater emphasis will be placed on practical skills, problem-solving, innovation and lifelong learning.
“This paradigm shift is crucial in nurturing graduates who are not only workers but also entrepreneurs and change agents,” Oyesigye said.
The new programmes incorporate the UVTAB Assessment Rules and Regulations 2026, which promote competency-based and practical assessments aligned with real-world industry requirements. Oyesigye noted that the orientation workshop was designed to equip trainers with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to effectively deliver and assess the revised programmes.
He encouraged trainers to identify curriculum gaps, share best practices and develop practical strategies that will support successful implementation across TVET institutions. According to Oyesigye, the reforms are part of government efforts to build the skilled human capital needed to achieve the objectives of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and Uganda’s wider socio-economic transformation agenda.
He emphasized that the success of the new programmes will largely depend on trainers’ ability to understand and embrace the reforms, noting that their role in implementation is critical.
The revised curricula are also expected to strengthen collaboration between TVET institutions and industry by ensuring training responds to actual labour market needs and produces graduates with specialised, employable competencies.
Jalia Nassaza, Acting UVTAB Executive Secretary in charge of Training, said the new programmes integrate technical skills with soft skills such as communication, entrepreneurship and innovation. She revealed that assessment under the new curriculum will comprise 70 percent practical training and 30 percent theory.
“The new curriculum is more focused on what people are expected to do in the world of work,” Nassaza said, adding that all teaching should contribute to learners’ ability to perform effectively in real workplace environments.
To address the high cost of practical training materials, the Government is encouraging TVET institutions to work more closely with industry and adopt training-with-production models. Under this approach, learners use training materials to produce marketable goods, generating income that can be reinvested into acquiring additional training materials.
Nassaza also disclosed that 13 additional programmes are currently under review to complement the 17 Technician Diploma programmes already introduced. Programmes in business education and training are among those being reviewed and could be rolled out for learners admitted in January.
Stronger Industry Linkages
Nassaza emphasized that trainers will require greater exposure to industry because the new curriculum is based on actual workplace practices. She noted that many trainers were trained under academically oriented systems and may face challenges implementing the revised programmes without practical industry experience.
“Now the story has changed. We are basing our curriculum on what is done in industries,” she said, urging trainers to reconnect with industry and gain firsthand understanding of workplace operations.
The reforms mark a significant step towards modernising Uganda’s TVET sector, with AI training, competency-based learning and stronger industry partnerships expected to produce graduates who are better prepared for employment, entrepreneurship and the evolving demands of the labour market.
