Education
Over 55,000 candidates to sit national vocational assessments across Uganda
The July/August 2026 assessment series will run until August 21 at 427 assessment centres across the country.
According to a statement signed by UVTAB executive secretary Onesmus Oyesigye (pictured), 38,957 of the candidates are male, while 16,831 are female. (File photo)
By: John Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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A total of 55,788 candidates are set to begin vocational assessments across Uganda, in the largest assessment series conducted by the Uganda Vocational Training Assessment Board (UVTAB) under the new TVET Act No. 3 of 2025.
The July/August 2026 assessment series will run until August 21 at 427 assessment centres across the country.
According to a statement signed by UVTAB executive secretary Onesmus Oyesigye, 38,957 of the candidates are male, while 16,831 are female.
They will be assessed under Competence-Based Training programmes leading to National Certificates at Level Three and Community Polytechnic Certificates at Level Two.
On Saturday, UVTAB began dispatching assessment materials to designated storage facilities under the escort of the Uganda Police Force ahead of the assessments.
The board said it had earlier briefed area coordinators and centre supervisors, who will oversee the safe custody of assessment materials, distribution and collection of scripts, and deployment of assessment supervisors to individual centres.
To safeguard the integrity of the assessments, more than 650 scouts have been deployed to monitor compliance with UVTAB regulations and detect offences under Sections 101 to 108 of the TVET Act.
In addition, more than 3,500 practical assessors will conduct competency-based practical assessments throughout the exercise.
The board also registered 153 candidates with special needs, including those with hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, amputations, chronic illnesses such as asthma, sickle cell disease and diabetes, as well as epilepsy and intellectual impairments.
To support these candidates, UVTAB has deployed more than 150 personnel, including sign language interpreters, transcribers and guides. Candidates requiring additional support will also be granted extra time in accordance with assessment regulations.
The board said it had earlier briefed area coordinators and centre supervisors, who will oversee the safe custody of assessment materials, distribution and collection of scripts, and deployment of assessment supervisors to individual centres.
To safeguard the integrity of the assessments, more than 650 scouts have been deployed to monitor compliance with UVTAB regulations and detect offences under Sections 101 to 108 of the TVET Act.
In addition, more than 3,500 practical assessors will conduct competency-based practical assessments throughout the exercise.
The board also registered 153 candidates with special needs, including those with hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, amputations, chronic illnesses such as asthma, sickle cell disease and diabetes, as well as epilepsy and intellectual impairments.
To support these candidates, UVTAB has deployed more than 150 personnel, including sign language interpreters, transcribers and guides. Candidates requiring additional support will also be granted extra time in accordance with assessment regulations.
Meanwhile, UVTAB announced on August 8, 2026, that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Uganda Prisons Service to assess and certify skills acquired by inmates.
The board said the partnership is aimed at supporting rehabilitation by enabling inmates to receive nationally recognised qualifications that will improve their chances of earning a livelihood after completing their sentences.
It commended the Uganda Prisons Service for promoting technical and vocational skills training within correctional facilities.
UVTAB also warned candidates and the public against engaging in assessment malpractice, saying offenders risk prosecution under the TVET Act.
The board urged heads of assessment centres to establish assessment task forces to work with UVTAB assessment managers to ensure a smooth and credible assessment process.
The assessments are being conducted under Section 79(1)(b) of the TVET Act, 2025, which mandates UVTAB to assess and certify candidates in Uganda's technical and vocational education and training sector.
The board said the partnership is aimed at supporting rehabilitation by enabling inmates to receive nationally recognised qualifications that will improve their chances of earning a livelihood after completing their sentences.
It commended the Uganda Prisons Service for promoting technical and vocational skills training within correctional facilities.
UVTAB also warned candidates and the public against engaging in assessment malpractice, saying offenders risk prosecution under the TVET Act.
The board urged heads of assessment centres to establish assessment task forces to work with UVTAB assessment managers to ensure a smooth and credible assessment process.
The assessments are being conducted under Section 79(1)(b) of the TVET Act, 2025, which mandates UVTAB to assess and certify candidates in Uganda's technical and vocational education and training sector.