Minister Muyingo Orders Nakaseke Technical Principal to Step Down Amid Mismanagement Allegations

The State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, has directed the Principal of Nakaseke Technical Institute, Alexander Mugisha, to step down immediately following a wave of complaints from students and district officials regarding gross mismanagement at the government-run institution.

The directive came during Minister Muyingo’s visit to Nakaseke Technical Institute, where he was met with a litany of grievances from the district Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Sarah Nakalungi, and other stakeholders.

Nakalungi cited serious administrative and financial irregularities at the institution, which was established in 2016 under the government’s "Skilling Uganda" programme to bridge the country’s skills gap.

According to Nakalungi, the government allocates Shs450 million annually to Nakaseke Technical Institute, and Shs200 million from the district budget covering the salaries of more than 73 staff members .

Nakalungi adds that the lowest-paid tutor reportedly earns Shs1.4 million. However, many of the tutors have abandoned their duties, while others have hired unqualified individuals to teach on their behalf.

"There is rampant absenteeism among tutors, others are using helpers to conduct lessons, which is negatively affecting the quality of education and contributing to high dropout rates," Nakalungi reported.

She also pointed to severe financial mismanagement reports on her desk, stating that workers and service providers have gone unpaid for more than six months, with outstanding debts totalling over Shs.28 million, despite regular funding from the government.

During the meeting, the Institute's Board of Governors Chairperson Bathwell Ssaku expressed frustration over being sidelined from school affairs, claiming he must secure an appointment to access the institution and that the board has ceased holding meetings due to poor communication from the principal.

Students are equally discontented. Solomon Kafeero, the student leader, highlighted persistent challenges including power outages, poor feeding, insecurity due to break-ins, insufficient dormitory beds, and inadequate practical equipment and computers.

In defense, Principal Mugisha argued that the institution is financially constrained and blamed a misleading WhatsApp message for halting operations of the Board of Governors.

Appearing indifferent to the complaints, he stated that he had only one and a half years to retirement and suggested the government let him "rest" if unsatisfied with his work.

In response, Minister Muyingo expressed disappointment over the management's performance and ordered Mugisha to step down immediately. He tasked the Ministry of Public Service to appoint a new principal to restore order and prevent further student dropout.

"The government cannot allow the future of our youth to be jeopardized by poor leadership," Muyingo said. "We are committed to ensuring that every student receives the quality education they deserve."

He further pledged to dispatch a commissioner from the Ministry of Education to assess and address the students’ concerns urgently.

The institution, which was constructed using a Shs13 billion loan from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), boasts state-of-the-art facilities including classrooms, workshops, a library, sickbay, generator, vehicles for study tours, and water sources.

Nakaseke Technical Institute remains a crucial part of Uganda’s vocational training landscape, and stakeholders now hope that new leadership will revive its mission to equip youth with employable skills.