By Mike Rwothomio
In 2014, The then Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev.Sanctus Lino Wanok, now the Bishop
ordinary of Lira in collaboration with the sisters of providence of Nebbi catholic diocese founded
Providence Vocational School Nebbi.
The school serves and transforms the lives of the less advantaged students from West Nile districts and
the surrounding catchment areas equipping them with hands-on skills in tailoring and garment
cutting, hairdressing and cosmetology, carpentry and joinery, cookery department and agriculture.
The church ventured into these practical and work-oriented programmes to equip students with the
employable skills thus increasing self-reliance and supporting government technical and vocational
education and training policies.
Brother Mwebaze Ambrose, The school principal notes that “their main objective has been to
holistically empower our students knowing that the shortage of modern practical skills in everyday
survival retards the capacity to solve problems”
He added that “we appeal to all well-wishers to help us expand this resource envelope”
Providence Vocational School Nebbi operate under the expanded TVET qualification framework
scope guided by the Education Act enshrined in the 1995 supreme law of Uganda.
The school this year marks 10 years of existence, boasts of a wealth of achievements impacted in
the lives of thousands of less advantaged students.
On May 3, 2024, over 130 students graduated from the school after undergoing two years of intensive
training in hands-on skills and were awarded a Directorate of Industrial Training level one certificate
(National certificates).
The school Director of studies Ms Oyenyboth Leku Consolate called upon the graduates to desist
from seeking jobs but rather being self-reliant.
“You should never be heard asking what society can do for you but rather you should be asking
yourself what you can do for your society” Oyenyboth said in a statement.
The 2021 Uganda National Labour Force survey indicates that 9.3 million youths are out of school
representing 41 per cent between the ages of 18-35 aren’t engaged in any productive activities,
painting a glaring picture of the high unemployment rate in Uganda notwithstanding a myriad of
strategies the government have in place to address it.
Sr.Emma Mudrik on behalf of Sr.Louise Touchette and the providence community said “By the
the boldness of our decisions and in harmony with others, we direct our activities towards helping
people develop fully as free, responsible and creative human beings”
She added that despite the remarkable progress in the past ten years of service, more needs to be
accomplished like kitchen renovation, bigger spaces for workshops and hostels for both boys and
girls.
Apparently, the deep-seated high unemployment rate in Uganda, mostly amongst the youth that
forms over 70 per cent of the country’s population is majorly attributed to a handful of factors that
amongst others include poor access to quality education and training, a skills gap between job
seekers and open positions, negative attitudes towards vocational education amongst youths.
The new Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese Raphael P`mony Wokorach during the graduation of over
130 students at the school, called upon the graduates to use the acquired skills to cause remarkable
changes in their life.
Graduates say
Brenda Kacwinyrwoth, a student who graduated in hairdressing and cosmetology wouldn’t hide her
joy upon graduating and commended the church for “giving me an opportunity to study and attain skills
for life”. She called upon other youths to equally embrace vocational education that directly
addresses the challenge of unemployment especially among the youths.
Saviour Agenorwoth, another student graduated in the discipline of bakery and emerged amongst
the best students. The school has retained him as one of the tutors. He said, “I came to this
school as nobody but now I graduated and have been retained by the school as one of the tutors. I
thank God for this opportunity”.
Currently, the government of Uganda has extensively embarked on the promotion of vocational training to
enable people to acquire skills and be job creators rather than job seekers. This is evident in the
creation of about 19 presidential skilling hubs across the country, where students are offered six
months of training in different participation free of charge.
The Catholic Church’s profound stride against unemployment moves in line with the government of
Uganda’s policies for addressing unemployment and the LCV chairperson of Nebbi Emmanuel
Orombi said “This institution has gone in our book of records as the government in skilling our youths
and also rejuvenating the lost hopes of our young people from within and from far as always
emphasized and encouraged by the president of the Republic of Uganda”
Orombi stressed that as Nebbi district local government, they have stood in the gap by lobbying for
scholarships for hundreds of students many of whom were amongst the graduates and promised
more support for the school from the district local government.
Recently, The king of Alur His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III, appealed to Alur subjects to
embrace vocational education.
Greater Nebbi sub-region has key Technical Vocational education and training centres that are Ora
technical institute and west Nile sub-region presidential skilling hub in Zombo respectively and
Providence Vocational School Nebbi.
Brother Anthony Musisi, The diocesan education secretary of Nebbi catholic diocese said “ the
vocational school is a great gift for our people, our youth; both boys and girls.it is my prayer that
the people in this area understand the gift they have and utilize it maximally”.
During the graduation ceremony, exhibitions were done showcasing the practical skills of the students in
their area of study. Some of the items exhibited amongst others included wedding gowns, suits,
gomesi, and priest wear.
