More Girls Join Technical Courses to Pursue Engineering Dreams

As Uganda shifts its focus toward technical education, many people are beginning to understand that white-collar jobs are no longer the only path to success. Many have now realized that having a skill is much more profitable than waiting to be employed, moreover in the world where unemployment levels are hitting hardest. In Uganda today, the unemployment rate is projected at 3.35 percent in 2025, rising from 2.83 percent in 2023.

More girls are now embracing technical courses, especially in fields once dominated by boys, such as building and welding.

A recent visit to Skills Unlimited Vocational Institute (SAVI) by our news reporter on May 14, located in Kigina, Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality, found that several girls are enrolled in Building and Concrete Practice as well as Welding and Metal Fabrication.

SAVI is owned by Bishop Onesmus Ngoboka of the Kigezi Pentecostal Churches, who is also the lead pastor at God’s Embassy Ministries.

One of the students, Shivan Miracle Ahumuza from Mitara in Mayanga Sub-county, Mitooma District, moved to Rukungiri to pursue a certificate in welding. Now in her final semester, Ahumuza says her dream is to become an electrician, and welding is her starting point. She plans to take up electrical engineering in the future.

CUE IN….. SHIVAN ON WELDING ….RR/ENG

 Ahumuza encourages other girls to join technical education, saying girls are just as capable as boys.

CUE IN….AHUMUZA ON LADIES ….RR/ENG

Another female student, Leah Kakuru from Katerera in Rubirizi District, is studying Building and Construction at SAVI. She says she overcame the fear and stereotypes associated with technical work by believing in herself and her abilities to compete with boys.

CUE IN….. KAKURU ON COURSE ….RR/ENG

The Principal of SAVI Mathias Ariyo Rwebiita, says many girls are now passionate about technical education. He adds that female workers are often more organized, stable, and perform well on the job. He calls for supportive working environments for women in the technical field, with employers and engineers ensuring they have everything they need to succeed.

CUE IN… RWEBIITA ON TECHNICAL COURSES … RR/ENG