Kalongo Technical Institute (KTI) is a Roman Catholic Church-founded government-aid institution of learning that provides opportunities for young people in Agago and neighboring Districts to get access to Technical and Vocational Training. It is located 4 kilometers from Kalongo Town Council and 2 kilometers off Paimol Road in Lelakale village, Parumu parish, Parabongo sub-county, Agago District in Northern Uganda.
History of Kalongo Technical Institute
Kalongo Technical Institute officially opened for operations in 1983 at St. Teresa Girls Primary School facility in Kalongo Mission, Parish.
The Mission in the early 1960’s operated a rural trade school that offered informal training in carpentry, building and mechanics among others. But they eventually ceased operation and the school was relocated to Kitgum Mission, and yet the need remained.
Some of those who studied in this School and later progressed in their career eventually became prominent persons; some became artisans plying the trade in carpentry, building as well as mechanics. Others became pilots, while others became technical school instructors. Individuals like Mr. Luis Amstrong Ojok, Evaristo Calgario, and Hugo Omol chose to remain in the education sector and taught in various technical institutes in the country.
Kalongo Technical School and later Institute was founded on the Catholic Church Foundation at the time of Fr. Giacomo Ambrogio the then Parish Priest and Mr. Jino Owiny the Chairman of Kalongo Catholic Parish; both embraced the initiative and subsequently allocated a temporary space for its operations provided by the front block of St. Teresa Girls Primary School as an office and classrooms for Kalongo Technical Institute.
The late Prof. Dr. J.J Otim then Min. of Animal Industry and Fisheries and also MP Agago Constituency was very instrumental in ensuring that post-primary and post-secondary education in his constituency was promoted, hence his steadfast contribution to the establishment of Kalongo Technical School/Institution and other Secondary Schools as well as a Primary Teacher Training College.
The main aim was to have a Technical Institute as opposed to a Technical School and this was immediately accomplished hence the transition from a Technical School to a Technical Institute with a population of 22 students at Junior Level and 7 students at Craft Level being pioneer students.
The late Dr. J.J Otim was able to persuade some of the Technical Training Instructors like Mr. Luis Amstrong Ojok who then became the first Principal and other Seniors Instructors who were teaching in other Technical Schools and Institutions in the country such as Hugo Omol and Evaristo Okidi Calgario, Oloya Anjelo and Ocan Ponsiano to support the starting of the school, an initiative they enthusiastically embraced.
Some staff joined thereafter; like Mr. Adye Alwera Marino, Latigo Michael, Amone Walter and others to strengthen the Craft Courses of Carpentry and Joinery, and Brick Laying and Concrete Practice and this enabled a seamless transition into a Technical Institution as aforementioned. Other staff such as Mr. Okoda Terrence the first bursar and Mr. Owilli Hans Tobi the English subject teacher were among the initial staff.
Between 1995 to 1996, KTI shifted to its new and current location at Lelakale Village, Parumu Parish, Parabongo Sub-County, about 4km from Kalongo Town. This land was donated by the community.
KTI currently sits on 47.7 acres of titled land and offers and is in the process of acquiring more land for production.
Over time, the Kalongo Technical Institute has expanded from two courses to about nine courses namely;
- National Certificate in Building and Construction,
- National Certificate in Fashion and Garment Design
- National Certificate in Plumbing
- National Certificate in Woodwork Technology
- National Certificate in Agricultural Production
- National Certificate in Automotive Mechanics
- National Certificate in Electrical Installation Systems and Maintenance
- National Certificate in Information and Communication Technology
The most recent course that has been introduced is Certificate in Road Construction Maintenance and Road Survey.
According to the Administration, Kalongo Technical Institute has a capacity of about 500 students though currently, it is at two-thirds of its capacity. It has about 50 staff but less than half are on government payroll leaving a big challenge on the wage bill. Staffing is inadequate and there is still a need for additional staff and capacity building for the existing human resources.
The Institute receives a Government Capitation Grant every academic term, it also generates locally raised income from production to support its daily operations.
The institute through the Ugandan Government support was able to secure funding from Kuwait Government in 2009 and the World Bank in 2012 and this enabled meeting the various infrastructure development needs such as the construction of Classroom Blocks, Workshops, a Library, an Administration Block, Girls’ Dormitory, Staff Houses. The project also supported Vehicles for Transportation, Farmwork, and Road Construction as well as machines and equipment for Locomotive Mechanics and Agricultural Training, Fashion and Garment Design.
Other notable challenges are the lack of a modern workshop for the Carpentry Department, modern tools and equipment, inadequate Staff Houses, an ill-equipped Library, and an ICT Department that needs modern equipment and services among others.
We thank everyone who contributed to the research on the history of the Institute. Please contact us if you have any further information.
Graduation ceremony
The institute will hold its first-ever graduation ceremony on 20 September 2024 and over 200 students are due to graduate. The Kalongo Times Bureau Chief, Obonyo Alex, sat down for a series of interviews with the Principal, students, and staff of the Institute ahead of that ceremony.
The Kalongo Times is a news publication which celebrates progress and development in Kalongo town and the wider Deaconry (formally Kalongo Mission). The Deaconry encompasses present-day Agago, part of Pader, part of Kitgum and part of Abim.