By Robert Nsubuga
The government has announced plans to establish a specialized technical university as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen vocational education and equip more Ugandans with practical skills needed to drive national development.
The announcement was made by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Technical and Vocational Education, Godfrey Kawanguzi, during the first graduation ceremony of St. Charles Lwanga Technical Institute Butende in Masaka City.
Kawanguzi said the proposed university will provide a clear academic progression for students pursuing technical and vocational education, enabling them to attain bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees without having to transfer to conventional universities.
He said the move underscores the government’s commitment to elevating technical and vocational education as a key pillar of Uganda’s industrialization and socio-economic transformation.
Kawanguzi also commended the Catholic Church for its longstanding contribution to the country’s education sector through the establishment of institutions that have nurtured skilled professionals for decades.
Founded by the Catholic Church 44 years ago, St. Charles Lwanga Technical Institute Butende held its inaugural graduation ceremony, awarding qualifications to its pioneer graduates in technical, business and finance-related disciplines.
The celebrations began with a Holy Mass led by the Pastoral Coordinator of Masaka Diocese, Rev. Fr. James Ssendege, who represented the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba.
In his homily, Fr. Ssendege emphasized the vital role of technical and vocational institutions in Uganda’s development, saying graduates equipped with practical and innovative skills are essential for addressing the country’s development challenges and creating employment opportunities.
He urged the graduates to use the knowledge and skills they had acquired to transform their communities and contribute meaningfully to national progress.
The Presidential Representative for Nyendo-Mukungwe Division in Masaka City, Mariam Kaberuka, called on residents to shift their focus from politics to development.
She urged citizens to take personal responsibility for improving their livelihoods instead of blaming the government for every challenge, while encouraging both parents and the graduates to embrace hard work and self-reliance.
Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja appealed to the graduates to become ambassadors for environmental conservation, expressing concern over the increasing destruction of the environment.
The Education Secretary for Masaka Diocese, Rev. Fr. Michael Kamulegeya, advised the graduates to uphold integrity, discipline and professionalism wherever they find employment, saying good character is just as important as academic qualifications.
The Chairperson of the Institute’s Governing Council, George William Lubega, cautioned the graduates that the world of work is highly competitive and urged them to remain disciplined, resilient and focused as they begin their careers.
The Principal of St. Charles Lwanga Technical Institute Butende, Achilles Kiwanuka, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to its founding mission of transforming society through quality technical education.
The Institute’s Director, Rev. Fr. Kizito Kaganda, said the college remains dedicated to producing graduates who are not only technically competent but also morally upright and God-fearing, qualities he said are essential for responsible leadership and service.
The graduation ceremony attracted religious leaders, government officials, educators, parents and well-wishers who joined the graduates in celebrating the institution’s milestone as it marked its first-ever graduation after more than four decades of providing technical education.
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