Over 47,000 candidates register for May/June national TVET exams

A total of 47,774 candidates have been registered to sit for the May/June 2026 national technical and vocational assessments, the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) announced Saturday, as the Government continues expansion of skills-based training in the country.

The assessments begin on Monday (May 18) and will run until June 8 across 544 centres nationwide, covering a wide range of disciplines under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) framework.

The candidates are drawn from technology education and training, business education, home science and agriculture programmes, with technical vocational education accounting for the largest share of enrolment.

Of the total, 24,493 are male while 23,281 are female, pointing to near gender parity in participation, according to UVTAB data.

A breakdown shows strong enrollment across different streams.

Technical vocational education attracted 6,780 males and 5,964 females, while Business VET registered 6,240 males and 5,930 females. In technical education and training, 5,770 males and 5,660 females were registered, while Business TET recorded 5,820 males and 5,610 females.

In a statement issued on Saturday, UVTAB executive secretary Onesmus Oyesigye said the exercise is anchored in the TVET Act, 2025, which strengthened the board’s mandate to assess and certify competence-based learning.

“The exams will be conducted across 544 assessment centres nationwide,” Oyesigye said, adding that they have registered a total of 165 candidates with special needs, including learners with visual and hearing impairments, physical disabilities, amputations and chronic illnesses such as asthma, sickle cell disease and diabetes.

He​ said the board has strengthened inclusive assessment measures, deploying more than 100 specialised support personnel, including sign language interpreters, transcribers and guides. Candidates requiring extra time will also be accommodated in line with assessment regulations.

'Severe penalties'

To protect the integrity of the exercise, UVTAB has deployed over 500 scouts and 200 practical assessors to monitor centres and conduct spot checks.

“We warn all candidates and stakeholders against involvement in examination malpractice, which attracts severe penalties under Sections 101 to 108 of the TVET Act, 2025,” said Oyesigye.

He added that heads of centres have been instructed to display candidates’ registers alongside examination offences and penalties as part of deterrence measures.

Meanwhile, distribution of assessment materials to regional storage centres began on Saturday under police escort, following preparatory briefings for coordinators and candidates earlier in the month.

Oyesigye reaffirmed UVTAB’s commitment to strengthening competence-based training and improving employability outcomes.

“We remain committed to delivering credible assessments that promote employable skills and support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation."

The assessments come at a time when Uganda’s skilling sector is undergoing major reforms under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act No. 3 of 2025, which introduced mandatory registration and licensing for institutions and practitioners, including artisans such as mechanics, tailors and hairdressers.

The law also established a Skills Development Fund financed through a 1% levy on private employers’ gross monthly payrolls, aimed at supporting equipment upgrades, trainer development and student sponsorships.

However, some analysts say some implementation challenges persist. Parliamentary records and sector reviews indicate delays in funding releases have slowed key reforms, including curriculum rollout and inspection activities.

Discussions are also ongoing over overlapping mandates between the TVET Council and the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), particularly in regulating diploma-level technical institutions.