By Kellen Owente
Saturday (January 28) was the second day of the ongoing New Vision Education Expo taking place at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) in Nakawa, Kampala.
We talked to some of the expo-goers about their experience:
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Emily Nabulya, a Senior Six student at Trinity College Nabbingo
I am currently doing biology, chemistry and mathematics (BCM) as my combination, but for some time now, I have been worried and confused about what I want to do as a career. Luckily, my mother told us that we would be coming to the New Vision Education Expo and I didn’t know what to expect. When I came in, we went straight to the Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute (ECUREI) tent, where I was introduced to unique courses that are rare in the medicine world in Uganda. I have decided to join the institution and do a diploma in Biomedical Engineering as my course once I complete secondary school. This has been such a huge opportunity for me to finally find something that I have always wanted to do.
ECUREI is a tertiary-level institute that offers training in ultrasound and medical imaging and other health-related courses. It was the brainchild of Prof. Michael Kawooya, the current deputy principal.
Francis Guma
I have just finished Senior Four at St. Mary’s College Kisubi. I came to the expo to learn about the different educational institutions and how I can make myself useful in this vacation. As I was moving around different exhibitors, the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) stall caught my attention. I wanted to know what they do. After interacting with them, I have decided that I want to start my higher education journey with a short course in vocational skilling.
Esther Katumba Nakalema
I brought two of my late brother’s children to the expo. Paying school fees for them has been a challenge. I am grateful to New Vision for organising this event because as I was moving around, the State House Presidential Initiative Hub stall caught my attention. I am so glad I visited their tent because I was informed that I can enroll my niece and nephew to one of the industrial hubs in Kayunga district and they will be admitted to study short vocational courses for free. This will enable them to acquire skills that can help them sustain themselves in future. I am leaving the Uganda Institue of Information and Communications Technology grounds today with so much hope that my late brother’s children will not regret being orphans. I thank God for having given me direction to come for the expo today.
Daphine Katumba, a student at Uganda Martyrs Rubaga
I loved everything at the expo because I was shown how a ladder can be turned into a chair. That for me has taught me how to be creative and innovative.
Sarah Kirabo, a student at Uganda Martyrs Rubaga
I was able to register for the national identification number (NIN) at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) tent. The process was smooth for me, there were no lines at all. I feel like a responsible citizen now that I have registered and I am hopeful that I will get my NIN in the next two weeks.
