St. Joseph’s Technical Institute – Virika.

St. Joseph’s Technical Institute – Virika (SJTI) is a private technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution located in Fort Portal, Uganda. Established in the 1920s by Catholic missionaries, it began as a carpentry and joinery workshop and has since expanded to offer a wide range of technical programs. In 2014, SJTI became part of Uganda Martyrs University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, while maintaining its operational independence under a university-appointed board.

Programs and Courses

SJTI offers a variety of programs tailored to different educational backgrounds:

• Apprenticeships: Designed for students with varying educational levels, these 6–12 month courses focus on practical skills and can lead to internal certification or Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) Trade Test qualifications.

• Junior Craft Courses: Three-year programs for students who have completed Primary 7, culminating in Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) certification.

• Craft Courses: Two-year programs for students with Senior 4 or Junior Craft Certificates, also certified by UNEB.Short Courses: Including solar photovoltaic systems, vehicle maintenance, and computer science, these are often customized for NGOs, companies, or individuals.

Facilities and Accreditation

The institute boasts well-equipped workshops in mechanical engineering, motor vehicle mechanics, carpentry and joinery, and electrical installation. It is accredited by the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) and serves as a DIT assessment center.

Community Engagement and Development

SJTI actively engages with the community through partnerships with organizations like KfW (German Development Bank), Horizont3000 (Austria), and World Vision Uganda. These collaborations support infrastructure development, staff training, and curriculum enhancement.

Contact Information

• Address: Kyegobe Road, Kinyamasika, P.O. Box 778, Fort Portal, Uganda

• Phone: +256 782 343 665

• Website: www.sjti.ac.ug