The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
By The Independent Team
While presiding over the 9th graduation ceremony of Uganda Technical College (UTC) Kichwamba at the college grounds in Fort Portal, Kabarole district, the Minister of Education and Sports Hon Major Jessica Alupo advised the five member task force to work with her office and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to speed up the process of turning the college into a degree awarding institution. During the function, 861 students were awarded diplomas and certificates in different engineering courses.
During the same function, the minister was amazed by the different products made by students while inspecting the institution. Some of the products included; metallic doors, windows, gears shafts, pendulum bobs and lecture chairs some of which the principal said are used by the college and some sold to raise funds for the college.
The minister challenged other UTCs to emulate Kicwamba saying it would be an additional way of generating funds when products are sold.
The college principal, Dr. Twesigye-Omwe Moses stressed the need for increased funding of the college to meet the ever raising material costs for students’ hands on trainings.
The chairperson of the governing council, Margret Muhanga called upon all people who were present to help close the gender gap which was reflected by only 98 females graduating out of the total 861.
In her concluding remarks, the minister promised to provide funds for the construction of a perimeter fence to tighten the security at the college. She also, informed the congregation that plans to tarmac the college roads were finished and works are to start before the year ends.
Alupo said that the government was committed to improving skills of students, which programme has already started. This year the government sponsored students admitted in UTCs increased from 250-320. This programme according to the minister would be implemented across the country to benefit even illiterates.
