Beyond History: Barlonyo agro technical ttudents eye academic success in national assessment

11 August 2026, 9:11 am

By Frank Oyugi

LIRA DISTRICT, UGANDA — Students at Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute in Lira District have expressed strong confidence in their preparedness for the July/August Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) examinations, emphasizing their determination to excel without retakes.

The national certificate examinations commenced on Monday, August 10, 2026, and are scheduled to run for two weeks through August 21, 2026. The comprehensive assessments evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical capabilities across multiple technical and vocational disciplines.

Students credit their readiness to months of intensive classroom instruction, rigorous hands-on training, and steadfast support from the school’s instruction staff and leadership.

“We have been prepared well for these examinations. The management and our instructors have supported us throughout our training, and we are confident that we will perform well,” said Jovan Okwir, a Plumbing student and the institute’s Guild President.

Okwir noted that technical education equips young people with marketable skills essential for self-reliance, job creation, and entrepreneurship. He also commended the institute’s administration for ensuring that all requisite practical assessment materials and equipment were fully supplied well ahead of the start date.

Smooth Examination Process

The Principal of Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute, Mr. Ben Charles Kamba, confirmed that the examination exercise opened smoothly across all departments, with full adherence to official national assessment guidelines. The current sitting accommodates both first-year candidates and final-year students completing their final module assessments.

Mr. Kamba urged parents, guardians, community leaders, and local youth across the Lango sub-region to actively embrace technical and vocational education. He stressed that hands-on skills training should be valued as a primary career pathway to financial independence rather than viewed merely as an alternative for those outside conventional academic tracks.

From Memorial Site to Regional Skills Hub

Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute holds deep historical significance for the Lango sub-region. Established following a direct request from local residents to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the institution stands in memory of the civilians who lost their lives during the 2004 Barlonyo massacre committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Over the years, the institution has successfully transformed its tragic history into a beacon of empowerment and economic growth. Today, it equips local youth with recognized National Certificate qualifications across multiple trades, including Building & Construction, Agriculture, Automotive Mechanics, Woodwork, Plumbing, and Fashion and Design.