By Weswa Ronnie
SIRONKO
The Professor Dan Nabudere Memorial Institute in Buyobo sub-county, Sironko District, is grappling with staffing challenges three years after its establishment in 2023.
The institute, which currently enrolls about 200 students, has only one government-paid staff member, Principal Thomas Angulo, while the remaining 20 staff members are funded by parents, creating a significant financial burden.
Edward Eko, the Sironko District Chief Administrative Officer, explained to our reporter today 5th November, 2025 that although the institute falls under the district local government, recruitment of staff is handled by the Ministry of Public Service. He noted that the district has repeatedly raised concerns about the recruitment process with the Ministry, which has promised to address the issue.
Principal Angulo said the staffing difficulties are linked to the low number of students, which limits the institute’s ability to pay non-government staff. He added that the Ministry of Education’s Permanent Secretary has promised to provide a wage allocation in the 2025/26 financial year to enable the recruitment of additional staff.
Angulo encouraged parents in Sironko and the wider Bugisu region to support vocational education by enrolling their children in the institute, which would help generate funds to sustain staff payments.
The institute offers a range of vocational courses, including mechanics, carpentry, engineering, tailoring, and computer science, aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the region. Tuition fees range from UGX 500,000 to UGX 800,000 per student, depending on the course, which Angulo says is insufficient to cover staff salaries and operational costs.
He noted that if 80% or all staff were on the government payroll, the institute could redirect funds toward institutional development and improving training facilities. Despite these challenges, the Professor Dan Nabudere Memorial Institute remains committed to delivering quality vocational education to its students.
