Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth has called for reforms in Uganda’s education system to ensure that learners acquire skills that match the needs of the country’s economy and labour market.
Oboth-Oboth’s call comes amid growing concern over the gap between classroom education and the practical skills required by employers.
Uganda continues to face challenges in education quality, including weak foundational skills, high dropout rates and limited learning outcomes.
A 2025 World Bank assessment found that 57 percent of Primary Six learners were below minimum proficiency in English literacy, while 42 percent were below minimum proficiency in numeracy.
The report also warned that Uganda’s public spending on education remains low compared with regional peers, placing additional pressure on households and limiting the country’s ability to improve learning outcomes.
Against this background, Oboth-Oboth has positioned education reform as an important part of addressing Uganda’s human-capital and employment challenges.
The Speaker has urged greater attention to practical and employable skills, including technical training, digital skills, entrepreneurship and other competencies that can help young people transition from school into the workplace.
His position comes at a time when institutions and education stakeholders are also pushing for closer links between training institutions and industry.
A recent initiative involving Ugandan universities and international partners, for example, is seeking to integrate work experience into accounting education to make graduates more competitive and better prepared for employment.
For Uganda, the challenge extends beyond increasing the number of children enrolled in school. The country must also ensure that learners complete their education with the literacy, numeracy, technical and professional skills needed to participate productively in the economy.
Oboth-Oboth, who became Speaker of the 12th Parliament in May 2026, has an extensive background in law and parliamentary leadership. He previously chaired several parliamentary committees before taking over the Speakership.
The Speaker’s call therefore places Parliament at the centre of the continuing debate over how Uganda can reshape its education system to produce a workforce equipped for a changing economy.
The proposed emphasis on practical skills would require stronger cooperation between government, Parliament, schools, universities, technical institutions and employers to ensure that education translates into real opportunities for young Ugandans.
