Artisans’ law: What it means for builders, electricians

________________

Some artisans in the construction and plumbing business are excited about the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act 2025, which makes it mandatory for artisans to be registered and have practising permits.

President Yoweri Museveni assented to the law that was gazetted on February 28. It gives the TVET council the power to issue practicing permits to qualified individuals to practice as artisans, craftsmen, technicians or technologists.

It also states that a person shall not practice as an artisan or a craftsman or technician or technologist seeking gainful employment in the world of artisans unless they are registered and is in possession of a practicing permit issued from the council.

This means that a builder found at a construction site without a practising licence commits an offence, and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding 300 currency points or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.

“Now that the Government is issuing permits, many of my colleagues in the business are going back to school to acquire skills. I am sure, to get the licence, you will first get training and others will upgrade. This also helps to improve on the professionalism. Our sector has been viewed as one plagued by school dropouts,” says Geofrey Kizito, a builder in Nakawa division.

It is not yet established how many Ugandans are employed as artisans as per the national census, but with many vocational schools in the country, currently, they produce many graduates in different fields.

That said, Adam Mugisha, a plumber says the law will push many Ugandans out of business. Builders who are paid less than sh10,000 a day might not afford it.

Muhammad Nsereko, a construction expert says issuing permits to artisans is the way to go.

“We now have an office where to report those who are doing shoddy work or are corrupt. I am sure there is going to be a disciplinary committee, which will handle those cases. The artisans will also fear engaging in shoddy work and the cancellation of their licenses. Once you have practising licenses, it’s easy to form a firm, register it, then apply for contracts like building government schools or hospitals. You earn big. The challenge low-income earners are going to face is that they might not be able to afford to hire them. Artisans are going to be experienced,” he says.

Gabriel Kasumba, the chairman of the Plumbers Association of Uganda, also looks at the law and how it will help enhance skilling and increase productivity.

Kasumba also explains that currently many plumbers, due to lack of papers required, fail to get contracts and end up fronting their colleagues.

“Many of them miss out on juicy contracts due to lack of papers,” he adds.

Electricians left out

The new law excludes electricians because they are registered under the Electricity Act, 1999.

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), is mandated by the Act to generate, distribute and sell electricity. It also recognises the wiring certificate from Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT).

Although there is a body in charge of electricians, unprofessional electricians are still at large in the business, putting property owners at risk. Many fire cases reported at the Police stations are results of short circuits and poor wiring.

Engineers worried

Ronald Balimwezo, a Member of Parliament, attributes this problem to the absence of polytechnic colleges like former Kyambogo, which used to train builders.

“The are now more building engineers than the implementers (builders). In the absence of the latter, you find one engineer supervising many unskilled builders. They pick anybody to work at sites, and this is dangerous. Therefore, before implementing the law, the Government should set up its own polytechnic colleges to train artisans,” Balimwezo advises.

On the issue of permits, Balimwezo also wants the government to first assess the artisans and build their capacity by training them so that they can work anywhere in the world.

“They should be retooled or upgraded so that they can be employed anywhere. According to him, DIT should be enlisted to train artisans in different communities so as to give them international certificates, which enable them to be employed anywhere,” he adds.