Bududa Vocational Academy

At Bududa Vocational Academy, we offer more than just programs in tailoring and sewing, carpentry, bricklaying, nursery education, hairdressing, and motor vehicle repair. We offer hope. Our two-to-three-year accreditation programs empower our students to lift themselves out of poverty through gainful employment or entrepreneurship.

As the only vocational school in the Bududa District of Uganda, we take pride in our commitment to providing quality education and practical skills to 200 students each term. Our students come from all over the surrounding region, and we make sure they feel at home by providing residential dormitories and meals.

We're not just any educational institution; we're licensed and accredited by the Ugandan government, earning full academic accreditation in 2017. Meeting all standards, including requiring all students to take coursework in English, Swahili, entrepreneurship, and computers.

Our vocational programs

  • BVA offers Skills, Junior, and National Certificate programs for students interested in pursuing a career of applying design, aesthetics, and natural beauty to clothing and its accessories. A good tailor is an artist and business person who listens to the customer and produces quality garments and household items. These certificate programs are learner-centered and competency-based. Students acquire skills through practical teaching and the execution of projects.

    Modules of Instruction:
    -Trade Terms
    -Tools and Equipment
    -Tailoring Technology
    -Textile science
    -Pattern drafting
    -Fashion and Design practice
    -Vocational Mathematics
    -Entrepreneurship Skills module
    -Industrial Training

    Additional Subjects of Instruction:
    1. English Instructional Language
    2. Kiswahili Instructional Language
    3. Business Entrepreneurship
    4. Computer Skills and Adobe Illustrators Training

    Career Paths:
    Tailor, Dressmaker or Custom Sewer
    Fashion Designer
    Pattern Maker
    Business Owner

  • BVA offers skills and junior certificate programs along with a National Certificate in Woodwork Technology.

    In these courses, trainees learn a breadth of theory and practical skills in carpentry and woodworking along with the utilization of various trade tools. There is a focus on safety protocols, shop set-up, and customer relations skills. Students also engage in the creation of furniture for community clients and receive

    Modules of Instruction Include the following:
    -Maintenance and use of carpentry and joinery hand tools
    -Preparation and use of carpentry and joinery portable power tools
    -The production of woodworking joints
    -The principles of construction, information, and communication
    -Health, safety, and welfare in construction
    -Construction of frames, trusses, eaves, and roofs.

    Additional Subjects of Instruction:
    1. English Instructional Language
    2. Kiswahili Instructional Language
    3. Business Entrepreneurship
    4. Computer Skills and AUTOCAD training

    Career Paths:
    Carpenter
    Carpenter - joiner
    Business Owner
    Furniture designer and maker

  • BVA offers skills, junior, and national certification programs for students to pursue in BCP. This program creates competency in the skills of bricklaying through technical instruction and practical hands-on experience both of which are necessary for employment in the field of construction. Students learn to set out foundations of buildings, erect walls and repair shallow wells. Students are also taught how to work with other structural materials like concrete and cement as well as instruction in science and mathematics.

    Modules of Instruction, include the following:
    -Building Tools and their Purpose
    -Mortar and How it is Prepared
    -Bonding and Types of Bonds, Building
    -Setting out and the Methods of Setting Out
    -Rules and Regulations Governing Sites and Workshops
    -Practical Experience in Industrial Training (3 months)
    -Mathematics
    -Theory and Drawing
    -Concreting
    -Timbering and Battering of Trenches
    -Scaffolding

    Additional Subjects
    1. English Instructional Language
    2. Kiswhaili Instructional Language
    3. Business Entrepreneurship
    4. Computer Skills and AUTOCAD training

    Career Paths
    Masonry
    Construction (residential or commercial)

  • BVA offers a two-year Nursery Teacher Training certificate program that is trainee-centered and practical-based. NTT equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work with young children in a variety of settings including nurseries, preschools, and daycare centers. The curriculum includes coursework in child development, early childhood education, and child psychology as well as practical experience working with children.

    Modules of Instruction:
    -Early Childhood Development
    -Child Growth and Development
    -Educational Psychology
    -Language Development
    -Cultural Education
    -Special Needs Education
    -Information, Communication and Education Technology
    -Methods and approaches of teaching young children
    -Material Development and Display
    -Field Work, Child Student and Teaching Practice (practical)
    -Administration and Management of Pre-Primary Institution

    Additional Subjects of Instruction:
    1. English Instructional Language
    2. Kiswahili Instructional Language
    3. Business Entrepreneurship
    4. Computer Skills Training

    Career Paths:
    Nursery, Preschool or Daycare Center Teacher
    Primary School Teacher

  • BVA offers skills, junior and national certificate programs that are trainee-centered and practical-based. Students gain a broad base knowledge of hair styling and are able to practice their skills on local customers that come to BVA for hairdressing services. The hairdressing department is equipped with hair washing basins and running water to maximize students skills based learning.

    Modules of Instruction:
    -Twisting
    -Triple three braiding
    -Pencil
    -Weaving
    -Crochets
    -Gelling
    -Barbering
    -Wash and set
    -Treatment
    -Retouch
    -Pineapple design
    -Dreads

    Additional Subjects of Instruction:
    1. English Instructional Language
    2. Kiswahili Instructional Language
    3. Business Entrepreneurship
    4. Computer Skills Training

    Career Paths:
    Hair Stylist
    Self-employment in the service section

  • BVA offers skills, junior, and national certification programs that are trainee-centered. We provide practical, hands-on learning in our workshops and service bays that are led by highly skilled teachers and technicians who have proven industry experience and are passionate about their trade and their students. The certificate programs provide skills needed for advancement within the industry. Students acquire automotive mechanic theory, skills, and practical instruction.

    Modules of Instruction:
    -Safety Precaution
    -Personal Health and Hygiene
    -Servicing and Repairs (e.g. engine, gearbox, tire rotation, changing oil)
    -Cooling System
    -Brake System
    -Transmission
    -Fuel System
    -Suspension System
    -Steering System
    -Electric System

    Additional Subjects of Instruction:
    1. English Instructional Language
    2. Kiswahili Instructional Language
    3. Business Entrepreneurship

    Career Paths:
    Automotive Technician
    Automotive Body and related repairs
    Automotive Engineering Technician
    Automotive Mechanic
    Self-employment in service sectors

Quotes from the Community

  • “I come from a poor background….I was able to do a National Certificate of Tailoring at the Bududa Learning Center. I am self-employed, have a tailoring workshop and employed two tailors. I can afford to pay school fees for my three children and my young brothers. My family and community have changed because of the assistance of BLC.”

    Nanyama Oliver

  • “Bududa Learning Center supported me financially…after finishing the course I was self-employed, supporting myself and family and teaching tailoring skills to women which adds value to the community.”

    Nabutsale Benah

  • “Bududa Vocational School is a center of knowledge and skills that improves the lives of people.” 

    Nabushumu Irene

  • “The BVA provided me with important help and offered financial assistance to attend BVA since my family could not support me during my academic time. I learned how to be a teacher from my education at BVA and have used these skills to secure employment. Now I can educate other young children. Additionally, with my skills I can provide financial support to my brothers and sisters from my wages.”

    Nicolas Olowo

  • “Bududa Learning Center has truly provided a bright future to many and brought a smile to the faces of many destitute persons in the area. Most of the beneficiaries of the Center's support have gained life survival skills and knowledge and in tum, they are providing a noble gainful service to their communities.”

    Father Paul

  • “Bududa Learning Center sponsored my education to obtain a National Certificate in Woodwork Technology. I am not employed in one of the best carpentry workshops in Tororo and have started helping my young brothers to study and the community is also benefiting from me buying food and timber.” 

    Mukhwana Simeon Daniel

  • “Bududa Learning Center has helped me becomes a responsible citizen of Uganda.” 

    Namukowa Robert (MVM Student)

Sponsor a Bududa Vocational Academy Student

  • Sponsorship is $1,000 USD ($1,365 CAD) per year and can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually.

    USD CAD
    Annual: $1,000 $1,365
    Quarterly: $ 250 $ 345
    Monthly: $ 85 $ 115

  • You’re right! $85 ($115 CAD) is more than other programs.

    We think many of those programs are doing great work — but are very different than what we’re doing at BLC!

    If you look at their info, you’ll see that most of the money they raise is pooled together to combat community issues, which is amazing but not what we’re doing.

    Sponsorship funds will go directly to support the sponsored student to provide room and board, tuition, additional tutoring as needed, program supplies, and mentoring.

    In short, your support will change this student’s life. Affording them the opportunity to think beyond daily struggles and create a better for themselves, their family, and their community.

    Funds will not be used for building a well, hosting community training, or putting in a road. While worthwhile, when we do these projects, we raise funds specifically for them.

  • Sponsorship funds will go directly to support the sponsored student to provide room and board, tuition, additional tutoring as needed, program supplies, and mentoring.

    In short, your support will change this student’s life. Affording them the opportunity to think beyond daily struggles and create a better for themselves, their family, and their community.

  • Yes! You will be matched with one student. You’ll be able to follow them through their program!

  • Absolutely, you can select a particular vocational program that you’d like to support. Just add that to your online donation or check memo, and we’ll do our best to take that into consideration!

    In accordance with our privacy policy, we are unable to provide a listing of students who are available for sponsorship. However, we’re happy to work together to provide an ideal match.

  • Once you are matched with a student, you will receive a welcome letter from our staff, as well as a photo and letter from your student. You will also get an update on a regular basis from your student or from our Ugandan staff. (Testing times can be stressful for students!)

  • We love that! You can download this form to include with your check or just mail a check.

    Donations to Bududa America Foundation should be mailed to
    827 BERKELEY AVE., CHARLOTTE, NC 28203

    Donations to Bududa Canada Foundation should be mailed to
    1380 QUEEN ST W, TORONTO, ON, M6K-1L7, CANADA

We need your support

please donate so we can continue to thrive