The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, officially released the November/December 2025 end-of-course and programme assessment results at its headquarters on Kigobe Road, Kyambogo Hill. The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Parliament, development partners, TVET providers, private sector representatives and the media. The Minister of Education and Sports was represented by the State Minister for Higher Education.
The release marked an important milestone for Uganda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector. Assessments in the wider November/December 2025 series were conducted from 21 November to 19 December 2025 across Technology, Business, Agriculture and Home Science disciplines in accredited centres across the country.
The Executive Secretary of UVTAB, Oyesigye Onesmus (CPA) reported that a total of 158,940 candidates were assessed in the overall series for both continuing and final-year trainees, while 43,872 candidates registered for end-of-course and programme assessments. At the ceremony, the Board released results for 27,460 candidates, including 26,912 in National Certificate programmes and 548 in National Diploma programmes. Of those registered, 26,312 candidates, equivalent to 96 percent, turned up for assessment.
The results reflected strong performance across the different programme categories. The general pass rate among candidates completing their programmes stood at 95 percent. In Business certificate courses, 92 percent acquired full competencies, while National Craft Certificate courses recorded 96 percent and National Diploma programmes also posted 92 percent.
The ceremony also highlighted steady progress in expanding access to TVET for women and girls. Out of the released cohort, female candidates accounted for 41 percent, up from about 35.9 percent in 2024. This growth was recognized as an encouraging sign of broader inclusion in skills training, even as stakeholders acknowledged that some technical fields still require additional effort to close the gender gap.
Inclusion of learners with special needs was another notable achievement. UVTAB reported that 61 candidates with special needs sat the assessments and 57, representing 93 percent, acquired full competencies. The Board said candidates were supported through measures such as extra time, sign language interpretation and other appropriate accommodations aimed at ensuring fairness in assessment.
Speaking at the event, Board Chairperson Assoc. Prof. Dorothy Okello emphasized the importance of competence-based assessment that aligns with industry demand and supports national development. She noted that UVTAB is strengthening collaboration with professional bodies, industry associations and other stakeholders so that curricula and assessment systems remain responsive to the labour market needs.
At the same time, the Chairperson of the sectoral committee on Education and Sports in the 11th Parliament, Hon. James Kubeketerya candidly pointed to areas that still require improvement, including performance in Engineering Drawing and Computer-Aided Design, computer programming practicals, mathematics-related modules and some business subjects. These challenges were partly attributed to limited equipment, software and instructional support in some centres.
Hon JC Muyingo the Minister of State for Education and Sports in charge of Higher Education reaffirmed government commitment to strengthening TVET through increased sponsorship for trainees, investment in modern equipment and facilities, and support for curriculum review and development. He further linked TVET to national priorities under Vision 2040 and the broader socio-economic transformation agenda of the NRM government.
The growing importance of TVET in building a skilled, productive and inclusive workforce for employers is a renewed call to strengthen practical, industry-relevant training for Uganda’s future.
