Former students of Kitgum Technical Institute (KTI) have given back to their former institution by donating a 3D signage worth $208.44, equivalent to shs800,000, in an initiative aimed at preserving their connection with the school and supporting its long-term development.

The signage, to be installed at the main entrance of the institute, will serve as a permanent identifier of Kitgum Technical Institute while also symbolising the growing role of alumni in supporting the institution that equipped them with technical skills.

The donation was handed over to the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, Ssegawa Jimmy Ebil, who received it on behalf of the central government before presenting it to the institute administration.

Obalim Richard Omo, the chairperson of the Kitgum Technical Institute Alumni Association, said the idea behind the donation was to leave a lasting mark at the institution where the former students acquired education and practical skills.

He said the alumni wanted to make a contribution that would not only improve the appearance of the institution but also remind current and future students that former students have a responsibility to remain connected to their former schools.

“We wanted to leave something that will continue reminding us of where we came from and the institution that contributed to our lives,” Obalim said.

He said the association believes alumni can play an important role in complementing the government efforts to improve educational institutions, particularly through mobilising resources, professional expertise and networks.

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The donation comes at a time when Kitgum Technical Institute (KTI) is seeking to strengthen its position as a centre for technical and vocational skills development in Northern Uganda.

The institute’s principal, Kidega Aldo, said the signage would be strategically placed at the entrance to give the institution a stronger identity while showcasing its contribution to practical skills training.

He thanked the alumni for remembering their former school and urged them to maintain their support beyond the donation.

“As part of the administration, there will come a time when we leave this institution, but you will continue to be the breadwinner of this institution,” Kidega said.

He said the institution does not belong only to its current administrators and students, but also to the former students and the wider community that has a stake in its future.

Kidega said alumni support had previously proved valuable to the institute, including during periods when the institution faced challenges.

He cited an earlier incident in which a storm damaged some of the institute’s facilities, saying alumni responded by supporting the institution during the difficult period.

“This is not the first time. Even when we had a disaster where a storm came, they were able to support us,” he said.

The institute has also been working to overcome financial challenges, with Kidega revealing that it had cleared a shs166m debt that had accumulated over four years.

He said clearing the debt was part of efforts to restore the institute’s financial stability and allow management to concentrate more on its core mandate of providing quality technical education.

Kidega said the institution had developed a strategic plan in 2024 to guide its recovery, expansion and alignment with national development priorities.

One of the emerging opportunities is the institute’s expected role in training skilled workers for Uganda’s mineral development sector.

Kidega said KTI had been identified among institutions expected to support the government’s plans to develop technical skills required in the minerals and energy sector.

He said the opportunity could position the institute as an important centre for specialised technical training, particularly for young people in Northern Uganda.

“Kitgum Technical Institute is going to be one of the modern centres that are expected by the Government and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development,” he said.

According to Kidega, the growing demand for skilled workers in emerging economic sectors makes investment in technical institutions increasingly important.

He said the institute would need continued support from Government, alumni, parents and other stakeholders to improve its infrastructure and training facilities and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Ssegawa commended the alumni for the shs800,000 contribution, describing it as an example of responsible citizenship and a reminder that former students can remain valuable partners in the development of their institutions.

He urged other former students who have not yet joined the alumni association to register and participate in initiatives aimed at supporting the institute.

The RDC said successful institutions in different parts of the world have benefited from strong alumni networks, arguing that former students should not sever their relationship with institutions that contributed to their education and professional growth.

He encouraged alumni to look beyond financial contributions and use their professional knowledge, influence and networks to support their former institutions.

“You are the institution. This institution is you. You are part of that power. What you contribute and what you stand for is what we stand for,” Ssegawa said.

For Kitgum Technical Institute, the shs800,000 signage may appear modest compared with the wider infrastructure and financial needs of an institution, but its significance goes beyond its monetary value.

It provides a visible reminder of the bond between former students and the institution, while opening a broader conversation about how alumni can contribute to the sustainability of technical education.

As the institute prepares to take on a greater role in skills development, particularly in emerging sectors such as mineral development, its relationship with former students could become an important resource for its future growth.

The 3D signage therefore stands not only as a new landmark at the institute’s entrance, but also as a symbol of a continuing relationship between an institution and the people whose lives it helped shape.

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