Prison inmates to have vocational skills assessed and certified

What the report says

The Observer reports that Uganda’s Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) has begun a national series of TVET assessments for at least 55,788 candidates, including prison inmates seeking formal recognition of skills learned while serving sentences. The candidates are registered at 417 assessment centres, with competence-based tests for National Certificate Level 3 and Community Polytechnic Certificate Level 2 programmes starting on Monday, August 10, after briefings on August 7. The exercise is due to run until August 21.

According to the report, UVTAB says it has worked with the Uganda Prisons Service so inmates can be assessed and certified for vocational competencies gained in custody. The board says formal certification could support rehabilitation, help former inmates find work after release and make reintegration into society easier. UVTAB executive secretary Onesmus Oyesigye said the aim is to recognise practical skills and support productive activity after imprisonment.

The article also says this assessment round is larger than the previous one in May/June 2025, which had 30,619 candidates. UVTAB officials link the growth to wider acceptance of vocational education and improved job prospects for graduates. The report says 153 candidates with special needs are included, with support staff such as interpreters, transcribers and guides assigned. UVTAB also warned against malpractice, saying the assessments are meant to measure real competence in work that can affect public safety.