Minister Amongi advises Lira city youth to scale up innovations
"I want to see our youth rise beyond just small-scale hustles. Those who want equipment, I will provide. Those who need further technical training, I will support them," Amongi said.
Minister Amongi admires the design of the cloth at Mayor`s Garden in Lira City on Saturday during the expo. (Photos by Patrick Okino)
By Patrick Okino
Journalists @New Vision
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The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, has called on the youth in Lira city to take bold steps in upgrading their businesses and embracing innovation as a pathway to economic empowerment and job creation.
Speaking at the Lira City Youth Expo 2025 held at Mayor’s Garden on September 6, 2025, minister Amongi emphasised the critical role young people play in driving local development and economic transformation in the country.
She pledged support through the Betty Amongi Foundation, offering essential equipment and skills training to boost youth-led enterprises.
"I want to see our youth rise beyond just small-scale hustles. Those who want equipment, I will provide. Those who need further technical training, I will support them," Amongi said.
"Through my foundation, we shall provide sewing machines and shoe-making machines to enable you to improve and commercialise your products."
The expo, organised by the National Youth Council, the Netherlands Institute of Multi-Party Democracy and the Betty Amongi Foundation, saw several youth showcase their businesses and innovative talents.
Amongi noted that this initiative aims to empower young people not only with tools but also with the necessary knowledge to thrive in business and innovation.
She expressed her long-term vision of establishing a local shoe-making factory, run by the very youth who benefit from the training and equipment provided.
“In the next phase, we shall work towards setting up a factory for making shoes—built on the skills of the youth we are training today,” she added.
The commissioner for youth and children affairs, Fred Ngabirano, advised the youth to think big and start small.
He commended Fidena Agribusiness Company in Lira city for developing a new innovation of producing organic fertiliser from eggshells.
Minister Amongi being welcomed Okwir Okwir the director of Hava wine in his stall during the expo at Mayor`s Garden in Lira City.
Jacob Eyeru, the chairperson of the National Youth Council, said that although young people across Uganda complain of a lack of jobs, the government cannot employ everyone, but can create an environment where innovation and creativity thrive if supported.
He urged them to take advantage of youth programmes such as the Youth Livelihood Fund and the Youth Venture Fund rather than solely seeking government jobs.
“All the rich people in Lira city are not the people working for the government but doing their own businesses,” he said.
Innovators speak
Denis Ogwang, the executive officer of Fidena Agribusiness, said they are recycling waste, including eggshells, to manufacture liquid organic fertiliser and manure to improve crop yields and boost production.
According to Ogwang, one of the exhibitors, the innovation has given birth to Eggo Organic Fertiliser.
He highlighted challenges such as limited markets, inadequate capital and lack of transport, which continue to hinder the business from expanding.
James Opio, a phone technician in Lira city, said he needs about sh2m to purchase the tools required to scale up his phone repair business.
He explained that he dropped out of primary seven due to a lack of school fees, but later started the business to survive without resorting to crime.