Competition organized by World Skills Uganda takes place in Kiryandongo district from 13-14 April
Mellon Owobusingye, a barrister in training, is enthusiastic about participating in her first professional competition. A native of Isingiro 18-year Owobusingye has been pursuing a three-month certificate in agriculture at the Tropical Institute of Development Innovation (TRIDI) in Kyabakadde, Mukono district The training included the selection of the best fresh coffee, wet processing them to separate the most viable beans from the second grade, drying the beans, roasting, grinding them to make espresso.
“I am ready to advertise my skills,” she told TRIDI newsletter on Tuesday before heading to Kiryandongo for the competition “The goal is to get potential employers.”
Her colleague Ruth Nyangoma, another agriculture competitor , is equally enthusiastic.
“The competition will help me build confidence with the big numbers from the different parts of the country,” she argues.
TRIDI also trains students in other vocational skills including welding, fashion and design, journalism and media studies.
The competition forms part of the cohort of girl professions it has been training under the MasterCard Training Young Girls Sustainable Inclusiveness for Youth Employment Pathways program.
The annual Technical and Vocational Education and Training Skills Competition has become a springboard for students to display their skills to court potential employers.
Alosious Nyahangane, a skills development officer, agro processing and value addition at Tridi says the competition is not only a potential recruitment ground for their students, but also a meeting point for networking and potential funders for projects.
The government of Uganda has recently put much emphasis on vocational skills training as research shows better employment opportunities for vocational graduates compared to academic graduates. The government passed the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act 2025 to standardized vocational training to the required standards for the country’s industrialisation and development.
TRIDI is sending five competitors in this year’s competition. Three students in the agriculture course, one in fashion and the fifth in welding. They are three girls and two boys.
