BY JOHN KASOZI

RACHAEL Kakaire is an amazing young woman. How else would you describe someone, who went to Makerere University, completed a course in education, but later opted to go to a â€œhands-onâ€ institute?

In fact, she says, her time at the university was almost wasted. â€œAfter graduating, I went and started working in my brotherâ€™s stationery shop without choice,â€ Kakaire recalls.

After seeing an advert on TV she decided to register for a course in motorvehicle repair at Spear Motors Apprenticeship Training Centre.

Now, dressed in a bluish overall, Kakaire moves from one car engine to another replacing air filters. She works at Toyota Uganda.

â€œI would have started working in my first year if I had taken on this technical course from the beginning,â€ she says.

If you think your future is doomed because you failed to make it to the university, consider following the path that Kakaire did.

Kakaire says while joining vacational institutions, one can still make poor judgements. â€œMany studentsâ€ who intend to join the vocational institutes are not guided and do not know who to approach for consultation.â€

There are several options you can consider if you have failed to make it to university. There are various institutions which offer various diploma courses in different fields. Some are located in Bushenyi, Mt. Elgon area, Kichwamba, Lira and Masaka districts. The minimum entry requirements are two principle passes in physics and maths or possession of a technical craft certificate.

These institutions offer two-year ordinary diploma courses in architecture, craftsmanship, electric engineering, industrial ceramics, mechanical engineering, refrigeration and air conditioning, water engineering, information and communication technology.

If you are interested in pursuing a business course, you can join one of the five Uganda College of Commerce institutes in Aduku, Kabale, Pakwach, Soroti and Tororo. These institutions offer a two-year course with a minimum entry requirement of Aâ€™ Level.

To be admitted for a diploma in business studies on government sponsorship, you have to have applied for either marketing, purchasing, supplies and stores management and accounting. One ought to have two principle passes at Aâ€™level and Oâ€™level. One principle pass must be in economics or mathematics.

For a diploma in secretarial studies, the principle pass must be in literature or English and economics and for a diploma in catering, one needs a principal pass in biology or chemistry.

If someone offered arts subjects at Aâ€™level, the consideration will be based on the performance in sciences at Oâ€™level and must have passed with credits in science subjects.

A private sponsored candidate must have at least one principle pass in any subject, two subsidiary passes and an Oâ€™level certificate. The diploma choice depends on the subject area plus the performance at Oâ€™level .

For more information, contact the academic registrar at any of these institutions. For those who intend to pursue a medical career, Fort Portal and Gulu Schools of Clinical Officers offer two courses in clinical medicine and community health. The minimum entry requirement are two principle passes at Aâ€™level in biology and chemistry.

Jinja School of Ophthalmic offers a one-year upgrading course. Masaka nursing school only admits Aâ€™level leavers with two principle passes in biology and chemistry.

Mbale School of Clinical Officers offers a two-year course in clinical medicine and community health, with minimum requirements of two principle passes at Aâ€™ level in biology and chemistry.

Meanwhile, Mbale School of Hygiene and its Kampala annex offers a two-year course in environment hygiene. The requirements are Oâ€™level certificate and two passes in biology and chemistry at Aâ€™level.

The Jinja Medical Laboratory Techniciansâ€™ School offers a two-year course in hematology, parasitology, biochemistry, micro-biology and laboratory technicians. The requirements are two principle passes at Aâ€™ level in biology and chemistry for a diploma and five credits in sciences and English at Oâ€™level.

Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery offers a three-year course in registered nursing and midwifery. The minimum requirements are credits in English, math, biology, physics and chemistry at Aâ€™ level.

The Kampala School of Entomology offers a two-year course in medical entomology. The minimum requirement is a credit in English, math, biology, physics and chemistry at Aâ€™level.

The school of anaesthesia offers a two-year course. A minimum requirement is two principle passes at Aâ€™level in biology and chemistry. The school of ear, nose and throat also offers a two-year course, with at least two principal passes at Aâ€™level in biology and chemistry.

The schools of medical laboratory technology and occupational therapy based in Kampala offer a two-year course. The minimum requrement is two principle passes at Aâ€™level in biology and chemistry.

The school of orthopaedic treatment and physiotherapy officers offers a two-year course. The minimum requirement is a credit in english, math, biology, physics, and chemistry at Aâ€™level.

The school of pharmacy offers a two year course in pharmacy. You must have two principle passes at Aâ€™level in biology and chemistry.

The school of radiography offers a two-year course with minimum requirement of two principle passes at Aâ€™level in physics and biology.

Soroti School of registered comprehensive nursing offers a two-year course, for those with two principle passes at Aâ€™level in biology and chemistry.

They are also departmental training institutions like Arapai in Soroti and Bukalasa agriculture college in Luweero. They offer a diploma in animal production and management and the second diploma in floriculture, with two principle passes at Aâ€™level.

Busitema National College of Agriculture and Mechanisation in Busia offers a two-year course. The minimum requirement is two Aâ€™level principle passes.

Other departmental courses are offered by the Jinja-based hotel and tourism training institute. It offers diplomas in hotel management, tourism management, pastry and bakery. The minimum requirements are two principle passes in geography, chemistry or economics.

Kigumba Cooperative College offers two diplomas in business and administration, with two principle passes at Aâ€™level.

▶️ ONLINE Sunday School @ Watoto Church - November 16, 2025

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▶️ ONLINE Sunday School @ Watoto Church - November 16, 2025

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