Why parents, students must vet university TVET programmes before paying tuition

What the report says

Parents and students in Uganda are being advised to verify the status of university diploma and certificate programmes before paying tuition, after new rules under the TVET Act, 2025 changed how vocational training can be offered. The Independent Uganda reported that the warning applies especially to non-degree courses in fields such as health, engineering, technical and business studies.

According to the report, officials from the Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board and the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board said some universities have continued teaching and internally assessing certificate and diploma courses without fully complying with the law. They cautioned that institutions which do not obtain the required TVET provider licence and programme accreditation risk leaving students unable to sit national examinations.

The article also quoted a Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs state attorney, who said the TVET system is meant to operate as a separate framework, and that a university charter alone is not enough to authorize vocational programmes. He said universities must be accredited as TVET providers and submit trainees for external assessment and certification.

The TVET Council is currently verifying providers before publishing accredited institutions. The report said families should ask schools for proof of licensing, programme approval and the name of the national examining body before enrolling, because internal certificates from unaccredited programmes may have no legal value.