By KT Reporter
Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education, has expressed concern over the relatively poor performance of trainees in certificate-level health programs.
Dr Muyingo made the remarks while releasing the first series of health professional examination results under the Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board (UHPAB).
“The statistics for certificate programs such as Medical Laboratory Techniques, Pharmacy, and Nursing show high failure rates alongside high enrolment,” the minister noted.
The Minister emphasised there is a need for interventions to improve performance and strengthen practical training for certificate-level health trainees.
“Inspection teams should ensure that training facilities are adequate for the number of admitted students before granting licensure or accreditation. This includes assessing the capacity of practicum sites where trainees undergo mentorship,” the ministry stated.
Helen Mukakarisa Kataratambi, Executive Secretary of the Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board (UHPAB), explained that the relatively strong performance of diploma-level candidates could be linked to several factors, including prior knowledge in their fields, smaller and more manageable class sizes, and active engagement in self-directed learning.
However, she noted that the situation points to challenges in the training of certificate-level trainees, which require urgent attention.
“While diploma students show good results, this clearly highlights gaps in the preparation and support of certificate trainees. This must change,” she said, emphasising the need for improved training quality and supervision.
Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, underscored the same concern. He noted that certificate-level programs must ensure that trainees receive adequate training and develop the required practical skills and competence.
Meanwhile, Kataratambi decried the poor performance of pharmacy programmes, saying that according to the June 2025 examination results, pharmacy programs performed poorly at both certificate and diploma levels.
To her, the failure rates, more so at the Certificate level, are affected by inadequate exposure to the practicum area.
“The Certificate level candidates are affected by inadequate exposure to the practicum area, which is closely related to high enrollments in an environment of few practicum sites. This leads to inadequate supervision in the clinical area and poor management of practical Logbooks,” she noted.
At the diploma level, 124 candidates sat for the pharmacy examination, and with a failure rate of 31.5 percent, 39 candidates failed. At the certificate level, 1,271 candidates took the exam, and with a failure rate of 38.2 percent, 486 candidates did not pass.
A total of 77,593 candidates from 200 institutions sat for the first series of exams under UHPAB, covering 33 allied health programs and 11 nursing and midwifery programs. For the Certificate Assessment, 9,204 candidates registered, with 7,785 passing, giving a pass rate of 84.6%. Among those who passed: 414 candidates (4.5%) achieved Distinction, 6,478 candidates (70.4%) achieved Credit, 893 candidates (9.7%) passed at Pass level. However, 1,409 candidates (15.3%) did not meet the pass mark, and 10 candidates (0.1%) were absent.
For the Diploma Assessment, 3,366 candidates registered, with 3,250 passing, giving a pass rate of 96.6%. Among the passes: 990 candidates (29.4%) achieved Distinction, 1,910 candidates (56.7%) achieved Credit, 350 candidates (10.4%) passed at Pass level.
Meanwhile, 110 candidates (3.3%) did not meet the pass mark, and 6 candidates were absent.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
