DIT inaugurates 11-member industrial training council
The 11 members of the council are sourced from both government and private sectors, including manufacturing, business, civil society, and trade unions. Below is the list of the members
Jane Kyarisiima Mwesiga, the chairperson and member of the newly inaugurated council (ITC) being sworn in as chairperson of the 6th board member of Industrial Training Council at a ceremony held at Fairway hotel in Kampala. (Photos by Alfred Ochwo)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
An 11-member council in charge of industrial training has been inaugurated by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT).
DIT is responsible for assessing technical, vocational education and training under the education ministry (MoES).
Jane Kyarisiima Mwesiga, the chairperson and member of the newly inaugurated council (ITC), expressed her gratitude towards First Lady and education minister Mrs Janet Museveni.
“I want to thank the First Lady for entrusting us as a council and we won’t disappoint her,” Kyarisiima stated.
“I want to pledge our support to the MoES and all our partners that we will execute our oversight role.”
Kyarisiima made the remarks on Thursday, November 7, 2024, during the swearing in ceremony at Fairway Hotel in Kampala. The event was officiated by Nakawa chief magistrate Ritah Kidesa Neumbe.
The 11 members of the council are sourced from both government and private sectors, including manufacturing, business, civil society, and trade unions. Below is the list of the members
Richard Kalanzi, from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) was nominated by the education minister alongside ITC chairperson.
Board members taking group photography.
Other members are: Brighton Barugahare from the MoES, Rose Kyotungire Taremwa from the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) and Stephen Mpagi Kalibbala representing the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA).
The Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) is represented by Arthur Niwagaba, while the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) is represented by Flavia Niringiyimaana.
Peter Kasirye sits on the council on behalf of the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association, while Hillary Businge represents the gender ministry.
National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) is being represented by Musa Okello, while David Mubiru Luyima is DIT’s representative and Secretary to the council.
During an interactive session, Alinaffe Kasule, the chairperson of the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA)’s board of directors, tipped the incoming council on maintaining professionalism, especially when communicating in digital spaces.
“In cyberspace, people post things that are not good for their careers. If people want to hammer you, they will simply look for what you posted that contradicts the expected norm,” he cautioned the council members.
Kalule has governance and executive experience in the financial services industry in both the public and private sectors.
He previously served as executive director of the Central Bank of Uganda and as a Chief Executive Officer of a private insurance company.
He has also served on the boards of directors of several organisations, including a commercial bank, an industry association, and an academic institution.
“Even Visas are issued after a thorough check on your social media, be very careful what you post,” he warned. “On a professional level what you post on social media is very important.”
According to Kalule, other people’s perception of you is what matters on earth.
He also reminded the council that the law allows the ITC to set up committees and that the council adopted a charter similar to that of other boards.
According to Section 15 of the BVET Act of 2008, the ITC shall be the policy-making organ of the Directorate of Industrial Training.
Brighton Barugahare, the commissioner of education policy and research at MOES, said missionaries led the fight against technical education.
According to him, even at the postgraduate level, people are not competent enough to defend their academic work.
He lamented that this system is defective and that it is common to find a person who holds a PhD or master's degree but lacks the relevant skills.
“Let us motivate our children to join these TVET schools,” he advised.
“We have a TVET Bill we would like to take to Parliament, I know you have your reservations, but we need you to support this Bill.”
He expressed concern that, sadly, some key people tend to shy away at a critical time due to fear or personal gain.