Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute records academic growth and innovation

30 July 2026, 7:31 am

By Bobson Opio & Regina Lalam

LIRA DISTRICT, Uganda – Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute continues to register steady academic progress, innovation and institutional growth despite an ongoing dispute over the installation of a new Board of Governors.

The institution has recently attracted public attention following disagreements regarding the delayed appointment and installation of board members in line with national policy guidelines. However, school administrators maintain that the governance concerns have not affected teaching, learning or the daily operations of the institute.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Calvin Okuja, one of the institution’s senior administrators, said the institute remains fully operational, with instructors performing their duties and students receiving uninterrupted training ahead of the upcoming Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) examinations.

“The institution is functioning normally. All our instructors are on duty, and our priority is ensuring that students are well prepared for their national examinations. Our learners continue to receive quality training despite the ongoing governance issues,” Okuja said.

According to Okuja, the changes in enrolment should not be interpreted as a loss of confidence in the institution, but rather as the impact of ongoing education sector reforms that have affected several technical institutions across the country. He, however, expressed confidence that enrolment will improve in the coming academic years.

Students interviewed by this publication expressed satisfaction with the institution’s leadership, teaching staff and learning environment. They said they are receiving adequate academic support and practical training as they prepare for their national certificate examinations.

“Our instructors and Principal are committed and always available to guide us. We are confident that we shall perform well in the forthcoming examinations,” one student said.

The institute has also continued to strengthen practical skills training through innovations in agriculture, automotive mechanics, plumbing and other technical fields.

The Head of the Agriculture Department, Robert Ojwiny, said the department is equipping students with practical technologies aimed at improving agricultural productivity and promoting climate-smart farming.

Among the innovations developed by students are the conversion of rabbit urine into organic liquid fertiliser, improved fruit cultivation techniques, and demonstration projects involving coffee and beetroot, aimed at promoting modern farming methods within surrounding communities.

“Our goal is to produce graduates who are not only academically competent but also capable of creating employment through innovation and modern agriculture,” Ojwiny said.

Since its establishment in 2016 with only 15 students, Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute has steadily expanded its academic programmes and practical training, becoming an important centre for vocational and technical education in Lira District.

Students say the institution has undergone significant positive transformation under the current leadership. One learner, Okwir, dismissed reports suggesting that students are facing challenges at the institute, saying conditions have greatly improved.

“The school has changed for the better. We have supportive administrators, committed instructors and an environment that enables us to concentrate on our studies,” he said.

Education stakeholders note that while governance challenges should be addressed promptly through the appropriate government procedures, they should not overshadow the academic achievements being registered by students and staff.

As preparations for the forthcoming Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) examinations intensify, the institute says its focus remains on maintaining quality technical education, strengthening innovation and producing graduates equipped with practical skills needed for Uganda’s growing workforce.

Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute holds historical significance beyond education. The institution was established by the Government of Uganda in memory of the hundreds of civilians who lost their lives during the Barlonyo massacre at the height of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in Northern Uganda.

The former internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, where more than 300 civilians were killed, has since been transformed into a centre for learning, hope and community rebuilding. Today, Barlonyo serves not only as an educational institution but also as an important memorial site visited by people seeking to understand the history of the LRA conflict and Northern Uganda’s journey towards recovery.