Minister Janet Museveni reappoints NWSC's Silver Mugisha as UBTEB Chairperson

Jul 29, 2022

Eng Mugisha will lead a team of 15 Board Members in line with Statutory Instrument 2009 No.9 that established UBTEB.

Janet Museveni, the Minister of Education and Sport has appointed a new UBTEB Board.. (File Photo)

Charles Etukuri
Senior Writer @New Vision

EDUCATION | MOES | UBTEB

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, reappointed National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Managing Director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha to serve a second term, as the new Board Chairperson of the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), for a period of 3 years, (2022- 2025)

The event was officiated by the State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo.

Eng Mugisha will lead a team of 15 Board Members in line with Statutory Instrument 2009 No.9 that established UBTEB.

The reappointment is against the background of a successful board tenure from 2019 to 2022.

The other UBTEB Board Members for the 2022- 2025 period include Dr. Umar Kakumba the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs Makerere University), Prof Maud Kamatenesi Mugisha- (Vice Chancellor, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara), Deus Mutesigensi Faida (Principal, Uganda College of Commerce, Pakwach), Nakyobe Safinah (Ag Deputy Director/Qualification Standards, Directorate of Industrial Training), David Ochieng (Assistant Commissioner, Selection Systems, Public Service Commission).

The others are David Mubiru Luyima (Principal Education Officer Technical/BTVET), Richard Musafiri (Principal Industrial Officer Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives), and Simon Amuku (Senior Staff Surveyor, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development), Eng. John Twinomujuni (Commissioner Urban Water and Sewerage Services, Ministry of Water and Environment), Micheal Ocero (Assistant Commissioner/ Information Technology, Ministry of Information Communications Technology and National Guidance).

Also appointed are (Francis Bongonyinge- Assistant Printery Manager, Uganda National Examination Board), John Habiyaremye (Manager Human Resource and Administration, National Curriculum Development Center), Joshua Lukaye (Ag Assistant Commissioner, Exploration Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development), and Jennipher Oyuru (Assistant Commissioner Agriculture Extension Skills Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries).

In her Speech read by Minister Muyingo, Mrs. Museveni congratulated the outgoing Board members upon the successful completion of their tenure of service.

“I am pleased to note that during your tour of duty, I was never privy to any information about poor working relations at the board or reports of financial impropriety from our watchdogs. This clear record gives credibility to the choices we made in appointing you to this strategic board,” she said.

Mrs. Museveni in a special way congratulated the new members and welcomed them as they settled in to serve on the Board.

“I implore you to uphold the key principles which must guide our conduct at all times and these include selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership, public service, and respect. Please maintain the highest levels of good conduct and hold each other and all staff accountable to those high standards.”

She said the outgoing Board had existed since 2010 and has steadily served the interests of Ugandans, especially the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates, and employers.

“We all recognize the ever-changing demands of the world of work and the need for quality TVET training, delivery and assessment of graduates for employability.” 
 
The principles of the TVET bill once approved by the Cabinet will enable the process of the Enactment of the TVET Act by Parliament.

Mrs. Museveni said the Government will continue prioritizing TVET and even consider introducing Universal Technical Vocational Education and Training at the National Certificate level.

This follows the pronouncement on the matter in the NRM Manifesto 2021-2026. 

She thanked the Chairperson and Board for fast-tracking the modularisation of the TVET assessment following our National Development Plan.

“This is commendable and my Ministry will render all the necessary support to enable the success of this initiative. The Government will continue to boost skilling through the Regional Industrial Hubs which will serve as skills training grounds for our young people. We have also invested significantly in Infrastructure and Equipment in TVET Institutions including the Centres of Excellence,” Mrs. Museveni noted.

She said the modern equipment and facilities have been installed in some Institutions and we shall continue to build the capacity of the trainers to use the equipment in actual training that matches the demands of the industry.

“I hope that with the enhanced capacity of the TVET institutions, they should be able to work as production centers as well as Skills and Innovation hubs in the country.”

During his first tenure as Board Chairperson, Eng Mugisha together with the outgoing Board members achieved the following during the 2019- 2022 leadership years.
TVET policy 2019 and Reforms:

The Board transited from a subvention under the Ministry of Education and Sports to a Vote Function effective 1st July 2021. The Board launched a Strategic Plan 2021- 2025 anchored to the NDP III, Manifesto among other policies. Staff Enhancement from 37.1% to 47.3%

A steady positive increase in resource allocation to UBTEB over the three years from sh28.56Bn to sh31.875Bn for the financial year ending June 30th, 2022, and sh33.7b for this financial year.

The Board also unveiled plans for the construction of the UBTEB Assessment Center at Kyambogo, increment in the accredited assessment centers, and candidature from 15,903 candidates from 184 accredited examination centers to 615 centers and 92,223 candidates, partnership with the world of work and professional bodies/assemblies.

The old board also passed board policies and documents, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and celebrated 10 years of existence in Uganda, among other achievements.

Mrs. Museveni called upon the new board to ensure that the resources allocated to TVET assessment are put to the right use, the training in centers accredited for TVET assessment is of quality standards, and the assessment methods and tools used can enhance the employability of our young people who have taken on TVET as their career of choice.

“I also ask you to ensure that employers are fully involved in driving the assessment processes for they are the consumers of our graduates." We should strive to raise their level of confidence in our assessment processes and awards,” she summed it up.

Dr. Mugisha thanked the Minister for supporting them during the three-year term of office from 2019 to 2022. “Allow me to also thank you for renewing my membership to the UBTEB Board and appointment as Board Chairperson. I do convey the appreciation of the new members to you for entrusting us with Board trusteeship,” Dr. Mugisha said.

He thanked the Minister of Education for her good and supportive approach and ideas shared with them during the first tenure.

“I have hope that the new team will keep the legacy of the Board secure but also extend it beyond spheres of influence. We have taken the ever-enriching advice and new lessons learned from our colleagues’ vast expertise and experience. I promise to keep the resources of the Board under wise usage and enhanced transparency. I also implore the incoming board members to ensure compliance with the rules that govern the Board and the entire TVET sub-sector. I congratulate the outgoing members upon successful completion of service to the Board with diligence, and the new members upon being appointed as Board members,” he said.

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