Members of Parliament have reiterated the need for major changes in the Ugandan education system, with a focus on technical and vocational training.
The call was made during the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa conference in Lilongwe, Malawi on Thursday, 13 August 2026.
Uganda’s delegation, led by the Speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth, re-echoed the mismatch between the job market and the education system, saying this is denying the youth the much-needed opportunity to attain their potential.
Hon. Emely Kugonza (NRM, Buyanja East County), presented a paper titled "Bridging the Skills Gap: Aligning Education with Labour Market Demands in Africa.”
In his presentation, Kugonza described Uganda's current educational framework as one which is still carrying the imprint of an inherited colonial model, designed to produce workers for export-oriented production rather than a self-sufficient economy.
As such, Kugonza argued that, Uganda is left with a generation of graduates who hold academic certificates but lack the practical competencies needed by employers.
He said that while Ugandan universities continue to churn out graduates, employers are concerned about a skills gap, citing areas that are lacking such as engineering and vocational skills.
Kugonza warned that this will, in the long run result into loss of demographic opportunity with negative implications on the country’s peace and security.
He commended government for the interventions in place to tackle the widening skills gap among young people, citing the 2020 lower secondary school curriculum's shift toward competency-based learning and the ongoing expansion of Business, Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions across the country.
He however urged government to reposition citizens from being suppliers of raw materials to producers of high-value goods.
Hon. Fortunate Nantongo (NUP, Kyotera district Woman representative) advised that skilling of learners ought to be embedded in the education system from primary school level.
She also called for adequate funding of the country’s technical and vocational institutes.
Hon. Bernard Otim (NRM, Maruzi North County) proposed that learning institutions, from primary level to higher institutions should be transformed into skilling centres as a way of absorbing the biggest unemployed youth population.
Hon. Naome Kabasharira (NRM, Rushenyi County) applauded a recent government policy on promotion of science and innovation, stating that hands-on curriculum is one of the strategies in which youths can become competitive in an increasingly shrinking job market.
Hon. Silas Aogon (Ind., Kumi Municipality) on the other hand urged Parliament to play its oversight role in ensuring that the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act is implemented, saying that policy on paper is not enough.
He also contended that there is a need for adequate budget allocation towards skilling institutions and training hubs, if they are to achieve the intended objective of solving youth unemployment, hence becoming engines of wealth creation.
The MPs framed their reform agenda as essential to renewing the social contract between government and Ugandan citizens.
They stressed that whilst the growing youth population is an asset, it remains untapped, cautioning that without deliberate reform, Uganda risks deepening its cycle of youth unemployment and poverty even as opportunities in oil, minerals, and other sectors expand.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
