Grace Agasa, a resident of Buyala Cell in Northern Division, Jinja City, dropped out of school during the 2020 COVID-19 period. Since then, Agasa has been surviving on odd jobs to fend for her family, with little hope of accessing decent employment.
However, while going through messages on different WhatsApp groups, she came across information about the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) assessment exams, which she resolved to enroll for.
She identified a center last year and became part of the 12,976 candidates assessed under UVTAB’s informally acquired skills program throughout last week.Agasa enrolled for Level One assessment in cookery, specializing in preparing spiced brown rice, commonly known as pilau.
She is optimistic that she fulfilled all the assessors’ requirements and hopes to attain a Level One certificate. Agasa says the certification will enable her to secure employment in established restaurants, as well as access part-time cooking opportunities from individual clients who often require certified service providers.
Agasa’s story mirrors that of Dorcus Kasiri, a resident of Kibibi Cell, who lost hope of continuing her education after dropping out of school in 2019. Kasiri explains that after spending five years at home, a friend introduced her to the UVTAB assessment program.
Before enrolling, she had been earning a living through domestic work such as washing clothes and babysitting—an experience she says limited her ability to envision a sustainable future.After completing the assessment exams, Kasiri is now optimistic about redefining her career path. She currently supplements her income with part-time work from a local ushering agency, where she has gained experience in managing guests during events.
This prompted her to register for front desk management under the UVTAB assessments. Kasiri believes certification will position her for stable employment in corporate organizations and help her pursue a more structured career path.
Similarly, Sumaya Mbwali, a resident of Masese Cell in Jinja City, says her former Senior Four teacher encouraged her to enroll in the program after her parents failed to raise tuition for further studies.
Mbwali, who works as a waitress at a hotel in Jinja City, says the UVTAB certification has already enhanced her employability in the hospitality sector. She now plans to pursue Level Two certification to strengthen her competitiveness in the job market.
With this milestone, Mbwali aspires to become a professional chef, fulfilling a childhood dream inspired by her mother’s passion for cooking.
The March assessment attracted 12,976 candidates from 161 centers across the country. Participants were evaluated in hands-on skills such as plumbing, motor vehicle mechanics, phone repair, carpentry and joinery, tailoring, hairdressing, leather design, bakery, welding, and poultry farming, among others.
UVTAB Principal Communications Officer Narasi Kambaho says the assessments are designed to certify Ugandans who already possess practical skills, enabling them to access better employment opportunities or operate professional enterprises.
Kambaho notes that more Ugandans are embracing hands-on skills and registering at gazetted centers for assessment.
He adds that the program also facilitates the issuance of workers’ passes, helping skilled individuals—many of whom lack formal academic qualifications—gain recognition in the job market.
Kambaho expresses optimism that as more people embrace vocational skills certification, unemployment levels in the country will gradually decline. URN