By Elijah Khisa
The Director of Makerere Business Institute (MBI), Hon. Nathan Itungo, has called on the government to introduce policy measures that provide financial support to private education institutions to strengthen their capacity and enable them to meet rising operational costs.
Itungo made the appeal during the 16th graduation ceremony of Makerere Business Institute, held on Friday, August 21, 2026, where more than 500 students graduated with diplomas and certificates in various professional fields.
He said private education institutions play a critical role in expanding access to education and skills training, but many are struggling under the weight of high operational expenses and taxes.
“We need deliberate policy interventions to support private education institutions so that they can continue providing quality training and contributing to national development,” Itungo said.
The MBI Director also called for the establishment of a special fund to support orphans and other vulnerable students in accessing higher education.
He proposed that vulnerable children, including orphans, should be recognised under special needs categories and supported through a dedicated education fund to enable them to complete their studies.
Itungo further appealed to the government to reduce or exempt education institutions from some taxes, arguing that the heavy tax burden has contributed to the closure of several private institutions.
He expressed concern that many students fail to complete their studies due to financial difficulties, including the loss of parents or guardians.
Itungo congratulated the graduating students, their parents and guardians, as well as other stakeholders, for supporting MBI throughout its 33 years of providing business and professional training opportunities.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, who was the chief guest, pledged to use his position to advocate for policy measures aimed at addressing the high operational costs faced by private higher education institutions.
He said the challenges facing education institutions and families have contributed to increasing school dropout rates, particularly among vulnerable children and young people.
Oboth stressed the importance of keeping children in school, saying education is critical in protecting them from challenges such as early pregnancy, child labour, drug abuse and mental health struggles.
He also congratulated the management of MBI for promoting discipline, moral values and uprightness among its students.
The Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, who was represented by the Assistant Bishop of Kampala Diocese, Rt. Rev. Frederick Jackson Baalwa, urged parents to prioritise the education of their children.
In his homily, Bishop Baalwa said education and skills development were essential in preparing young people for economic independence and a productive future.
He also called on the government to strengthen support mechanisms for vulnerable youth through vocational skills training and the provision of start-up tools.
Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, who attended the ceremony alongside Kawempe South Member of Parliament Madinah Nsereko as special guests, urged the graduates to take advantage of the skills acquired at MBI to build successful professional careers.
Prof. Kagonyera encouraged the youth to embrace employable skills and remain disciplined in their workplaces.
He also cautioned the graduates to take care of their health and protect the reputation and image of the institution wherever they go.
Performance
A total of 22 diploma students graduated with first-class distinctions, while 14 certificate students also attained first-class distinctions.
Most of the graduates performed highly in the national assessments conducted by the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB).
Ataro Linda and Atuhaire Patience emerged as the top diploma students, scoring CGPAs of 4.84 and 4.78 respectively in both the MBI and national assessments.
In the certificate category, Nanteza Fahimah Hasifa and Juru Nancy Kenyi emerged as the top students with CGPAs of 4.88 and 4.82 respectively.
