Minister Barugahara urges graduates to uphold work ethics, shun corruption

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State minister for gender, labour and social development in charge of children and youth affairs, Balaam Barugahare on Friday asked graduates at the Lugogo Vocational Training Institute (LVTI) to uphold work ethics for a successful career.

While addressing graduates at the 10th graduation ceremony of the LVTI on June 21, Barugahara noted the importance for youth to uphold honesty, ethics and competence in the work they do in order to sustain a reliable clientele.

He said corruption is one of the major problems that the government is currently trying to eliminate and therefore youth need not indulge in it.

“You have studied and you have all the knowledge you need to earn a living. Do not steal, do not bribe, do not be corrupt. I am not friendly with people who steal taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Jalia Nassaza (right), manager vocational education UBTEB handing over appreciation certificates to outstanding studets; Gerald Kazungu of year 2023 and Shabirah Naluyima of year 2022. (Photo by Dickson Kulumba)

Barugahara also implored graduates, especially carpenters, to be honest with their clients about the timeframe required to do a certain project. This, he says, shall build trust with them and their customers.

“Carpenters you have a habit of lying to customers that you will be done with the chairs in two days, but let two days be two days.  Delivering on time makes clients trust you more,” Barugahare added.

Old teaching equipment

Tumuhamye Wilson, principal of LVTI said the biggest challenge facing the institute is ancient equipment and he highlighted the need for updated machinery to help students during practical classes.

“The machines we use in plumbing, electronic engineering and other classes are those we started with in the 1950s. So, it is really difficult for us and yet new machinery is so expensive. We need some support from the government as Uganda’s oldest vocational institute,” he explained.

Pascal Wandera, a workshop technician at Lugogo Training and Vocational Institute in Kampala showing Tenon machine used in carpentry. Machines at the institute have been around for more than 40 years. (Photo by Dickson Kulumba)

On this note, Minister Barugahara pledged to forward the call to President Yoweri Museveni and the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni, who is also Minister for Education and Sports such that the institute can get provision in terms of better equipment.

The graduation event awarded 1,876 students from various disciplines namely: Building construction studies, Electrical Installation Systems and Maintenance, Plumbing, Welding and Fabrication, Automotive Mechanics, Painting and Decorating, Woodwork Technology, Electronics Technology, Television and Electronics as well as Machining and Fitting.

Of these, 1,051 were examined by Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) while 825 got a Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework (UVQF) level two.

Gerald Kazungu ( right), the Best performing student of 2023 and other graduands during the graduation ceremony. (Photo by Dickson Kulumba)

Fewer girls than boys graduate 

For UBTEB, 975 were male graduates and 76 were females while for UVQF, 764 were male graduates and just 62 were females.

Board of Governors chairperson of the institute, Winfred Bukirwa mentioned that a lower number of girls is registered due to the mindset of parents and girls claiming that such studies are not for girl children.

“We have 92% male students but just 7.2% are females. Girls are still few because society makes them think that these studies are just for men but we have girls thriving here in mechanics, design and electronics,” Bukirwa said.

State Minister for Youth and Children affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi (middle) in a photo moment with staff of Lugogo Training and Vocational Institute on June 21, 2024, during the 10th graduation in Lugogo, Kampala. (Photo by Dickson Kulumba)

She called for more female participation in vocational studies in order to narrow the gender gap even at the employment level.

About LVTI

Lugogo Vocational Training Institute evolved from a National Trade Testing Center established in 1953 by the then-colonial government, for testing and grading of industrial workers' competences.

The Industrial Training Decree of 1972 which established the Directorate of Industrial Training mandated the industrial training council to start a training scheme geared towards improving industrial productivity.