Unvailed - Barlonyo Agro Tech Institute Pledges Top Grades In UVTAB Exams

By Jimmy Olot 

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, saying they are determined to complete the examinations without retakes.

The examinations, which commenced on Monday, August 10, 2026, are bringing together students undertaking various national certificate programmes across technical and vocational institutions in Uganda.

At Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute, students say months of classroom learning, practical training and guidance from instructors have equipped them with the knowledge and skills required to perform well.

Speaking about their preparation, students pursuing National Certificate programmes said they had been adequately prepared and were optimistic about achieving good results.

Jovan Okwir , a National Certificate student pursuing Plumbing and also the Guild President of the institute, credited the institution's management and instructors for preparing students for both theoretical and practical aspects of the examinations.

 “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,” Okwir said.

Okwir added that students' commitment to academic work is complemented by discipline, which he said has contributed to a conducive learning environment at the institution.

He further commended the institute for providing the necessary examination and practical materials, particularly for programmes that require hands-on assessment.

According to Okwir, technical education provides young people with practical skills that can enable them to become self-reliant, secure employment or establish their own businesses after completing their studies.

The Principal of Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute, Mr. Ben Charles Kamba, said the examinations had started smoothly, with students and staff following the required examination procedures.

Kamba expressed confidence in the students, noting that the institute has a strong culture of academic and practical performance.

He said the July/August UVTAB examinations cater for both first-year students and continuing students.

“This is an important stage in the training of our students because they are being assessed on the knowledge and practical skills they have acquired during their training,” Kamba said.

He appealed to parents, guardians, community leaders and young people across Lango and beyond to embrace technical and vocational education, arguing that the sector plays a critical role in equipping young people with employable and entrepreneurial skills.

Kamba encouraged members of the community to take advantage of the programmes offered at Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute instead of viewing technical education as an alternative only for students who do not pursue conventional academic pathways.

 Examinations to Run for Two Weeks

The July/August UVTAB examinations are scheduled to run for approximately two weeks, with the official timetable indicating that the assessment period will continue until **August 21, 2026**.

The examinations cover both theoretical and practical components, depending on the programme being undertaken.

Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute carries a unique historical significance for the Lango sub-region.

The institution was established in memory of victims of the 2004 Barlonyo massacre, in which innocent civilians were killed during the LRA insurgency.

The institute was constructed as part of efforts to honour the victims and support the community, following a request by local residents to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Today, the institution has evolved beyond its memorial significance to become a centre for technical and vocational skills development, providing young people with opportunities to acquire practical skills that can contribute to household incomes and local economic development.

The institute offers National Certificate programmes in areas including Building, Agriculture, Woodwork, Plumbing, Automotive Mechanics, and Fashion and Design.

Location; 

Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute-Lira is located in Barlonyo B, 7 Kilometres from Ogur Trading Centers off Lira -Kitgum road.