By eastafrican gazette
A total 482 young individuals from different areas of Bugisu successfully completed their training at the Bugisu Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Lukhoge, Bungokho South, Mbale district, after six months of dedicated learning and rigorous training.
These youth, aged between 18 and 35, were filled with joy as their names were called out and they received their well-deserved certificates for completing courses in various disciplines such as shoe making, tailoring and design, bakery and confectionery, welding and metal fabrications, hairdressing and makeup, carpentry and joinery, and building construction practice.
The young individuals selected from the administrative regions of Mbale, Bududa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Sironko, and Namisindwa received a Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One Certificate from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), which holds the same value as a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE).
During the event held on May 3, 2024, the Chief Guest His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, the Umukuka III of Bamasaba Cultural Institution, commended the President of Uganda Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his prompt action in providing the youth of the country with vocational and practical skills necessary for thriving.
The cultural leader emphasized that in a country like Uganda, where the more than three quarters (78%) of the population is under the age of 35, skilling is crucial for development and progress.
“This means without projects like the Presidential skilling hubs where uneducated youths are skilled for free, there could be a problem as far as unemployment is concerned,” the Umukuka observed.
He emphasised the need for diversification in courses to offer more opportunities.
“I call upon the government and State House to include courses like computer science, motor vehicle mechanics, electrical engineering, plumbing and driving because they also have the potential to further alleviate poverty and empower the youth,” he added.
He proceeded to urge graduates to view their recently acquired skills as tools for transformation, not just to support their families but also to uplift their communities.
Umukuka urged district leaders to give importance to the trained young individuals and include them in government initiatives.
“Government has put up funds like the Youth Livelihood Program, Emyooga and the Parish Development Model. I urge district leaders to ensure these skilled youths are given first priority because they need to acquire the necessary machines for them to start their own employment,” he emphasised.
He also urged the government to consider establishing an additional skilling center in North Bugisu and to expand the enrollment numbers to allow more young people to benefit from the program.
He commended the graduates for their dedication in completing the six-month training program and thanked Jane Barekye, the State House Comptroller, for her efforts in ensuring the smooth operation of the skilling hub.
In her speech, Barekye congratulated the graduates on successfully finishing the training and encouraged them to uphold the President’s reputation by demonstrating good conduct in their communities.
She highlighted that the President’s goal in establishing skilling hubs nationwide was to combat unemployment, boost household incomes, and reduce crime in local areas, all of which have been accomplished. “And now H.E the President has a visionary plan to establish common user facilities in every district that will provide access to specialized machinery corresponding to each skill in the hub. They will enable individuals to work in phases and gradually accumulate capital for their own investments,” Barekye said.
She urged district leaders to make the employment of skilled graduates a priority in order to provide working experience for the youth and create job opportunities.
Robert Wandwasi, the Member of Parliament for Bungokho South, expressed gratitude towards President Yoweri Museveni for the insightful initiative of setting up a skilling hub in their area.
“Madam Comptroller, send our regards to our dear President for what he has done for Bugisu sub region. We are really very sure that our future is being secured because a future without prioritising the youths is nothing,” Wandwasi said.
He stressed that the skilling hubs are part of the NRM Manifesto which the government has implemented so well.
Wandwasi, who is also a member of the government assurances committee in parliament responsible for monitoring the government’s commitments to the people of Uganda, urged the government to expedite the rural electrification program.
He noted that this is crucial as many essential skills require electricity, which is lacking in most villages.
“Many of them are now graduating but the communities they are coming from have no electricity,” he said.
Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Industrial Hubs and Presidential Projects at State House, expressed gratitude towards the Ministry of Local Government, the Directorate of Industrial Training, and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces for their collaboration in ensuring the success of the program.
The ceremony attracted attendance of Members of Parliament, RDCs, LC5 Chairpersons, CAOs, religious and local leaders.
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