By Mulengera Reporters
The Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports has pledged to support the Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board (UHPAB) in addressing its infrastructure and operational challenges, including securing permanent office premises to strengthen the institution’s capacity to execute its national mandate.
Committee Chairperson and Kibale County Member of Parliament, Cuthbert Abigaba, said Parliament was committed to working with the Board to address its institutional needs, noting that a well-resourced assessment body was critical to improving the quality of health professionals produced in Uganda.
Abigaba made the commitment during an oversight visit by the committee to UHPAB, where legislators assessed the institution’s performance, achievements and operational challenges under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) framework.
He said the committee’s engagement was not intended to find fault with the institution but to establish areas where Parliament could intervene through legislation, budgeting and oversight.
“We are here not as adversaries. We are here not as your opponents. We are not here to find faults. But we are here as strategic partners and allies in national development,” Abigaba said.
He encouraged the Board and its management to openly present their operational challenges, assuring them that the committee would consider actionable recommendations that could be championed before Parliament.
Parliament Eyes Permanent Home for UHPAB
One of the key issues raised by Abigaba was the need to support UHPAB in acquiring a permanent and suitable institutional home.
Following a tour of the Board’s proposed development site and existing facilities, the committee chairperson said he felt a responsibility to ensure that the institution receives the necessary support to establish appropriate premises.
“We need to support them to have a home. Even before I make my statement, I feel that as a chairperson of this committee, I feel indebted that we need to support you to have a full and safe home,” he said.
The commitment comes as UHPAB seeks substantial investment in infrastructure development, including the construction and equipping of office and assessment blocks to accommodate its expanding operations.
The Board has previously presented an infrastructure development requirement of approximately Shs42.283 billion, with Shs10 billion required in the 2027/2028 financial year to advance the project.
Committee Commends UHPAB’s Accountability and Leadership
Abigaba praised the Board, management and staff for what he described as a high level of organization, accountability and institutional integrity.
He recalled his previous tenure on the Education and Sports Committee, during which he served as Vice Chairperson and developed a close working relationship with UHPAB.
He said the institution had consistently maintained communication with Parliament and demonstrated transparency in its operations, making it easier for legislators to understand its activities and challenges.
The chairperson also commended the inaugural Board and Executive Secretary Helen Mukakarisa Kataratambi for steering the institution through the transition arising from the Rationalization of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) reforms.
The reforms brought together the former Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board and Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board under UHPAB, established through the TVET Act No. 3 of 2025.
Abigaba particularly recognized Kataratambi’s leadership in guiding the institution through the merger and establishing its operational structures.
Parliament Seeks Transparency on Institutional Challenges
The committee chairperson urged UHPAB’s leadership to maintain high standards of corporate governance, integrity and accountability, reminding staff that the institution’s reputation would depend on the quality of services delivered to stakeholders.
He encouraged the Board to share not only its achievements but also genuine operational constraints, including technical staffing gaps, transport limitations, examination security challenges at private assessment centres and shortages of practical simulation facilities.
He said Parliament’s constitutional responsibilities of representation, legislation, budgeting and oversight provided an opportunity to address such challenges through coordinated engagement with government institutions.
The committee also emphasized the need for unity across political divides in addressing challenges within the education sector.
Abigaba said improving the quality of education was a national responsibility that should not be influenced by political affiliation, urging members from both the ruling and opposition sides to work together in advancing education reforms.
The oversight engagement was attended by the committee’s Vice Chairperson, Emmanuel Ongiertho, MP for Nebbi Municipality, Shadow Minister for Education and Sports Andrew Kiiza Kaluya, among other legislators.
UHPAB is mandated to assess and certify health professionals trained under the TVET framework, overseeing 45 health training programmes comprising allied health, nursing and midwifery disciplines.
The committee’s engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between Parliament and the Board as the institution works to improve assessment standards, expand its infrastructure and contribute to the production of a competent health workforce for Uganda. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
