Katikkiro Mayiga roots for vocational skills to curb youth unemployment

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Buganda Kingdom has identified vocational training as one of the mediums to curb unemployment among the Youth.

This was revealed by the Kingdom Prime Minister, Charles Peter Mayiga, while on a guided tour of Kasawo Institute of Business and Technical Education located at Namaliiri in Kasawo sub-county in Mukono on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

“The Kingdom is committed to prioritizing vocational and technical education so that the youth can acquire skills to enable them engage fully in money-making opportunities. We’re going to increase support to this institute,” said Mayiga.

Katikkiro Mayiga who lamented that about 40% of the youth in Uganda are unemployed, attributed the sad situation to lack of skills and sufficient experience. 

Katikkiro Mayiga. (Credit: Dickson Kulumuba)

“Jobs can be created when the economy is growing. With a lack of skills, these cannot work in a coffee factory set-up by a businessman in this area of Kasawo, thus ending in lawbreaking activities like robbery. At this institute, I have seen these youth learning vocational skills, which will empower them for job opportunities instead of engaging in crude activities,” added Mayiga.

The Katikkiro called upon parents to use this opportunity extended to them by the Kingdom and bring their children to this institute so that they can acquire relevant skills and start their businesses. To the students here, Mayiga tasked them to take up this opportunity to complete their studies for a better future.

Mayiga challenged leaders at all levels in Mukono district (found in Kyaggwe County) to put more attention to this institute established to improve social and economic well-being.

Cotlida Nakate Kikomeko, the Minister in charge of Education in the Kingdom, said that Kabaka is very keen on revitalizing vocational and technical training amongst his people.

Listed institutions include: Buganda Royal Institute of Business and Technical Education at Kakeeka-Mmengo and Bbowa Vocational SS at Bbowa-Makulubita- Luweero in Bulemeezi county.

“I now ask the leaders of this county to prepare a place where a nursery school will be set up and start next year. This is in line with Kabaka’s directive from a nursery to model nursey schools set up across the Kingdom, each in a county to improve education,” said Nakate.

Vicent Matovu, the Kingdom’s Chief of Kyaggwe County (Ssekiboobo) decried the low number of vocational institutes in the area and low enrollment in these institutes saying it is one of the factors that have left the youth in the area with limited skills.

“Kasawo is one of the top vocational institutes in this area, but the people of Kyaggwe haven’t fully embraced vocational education," Matovu reported. 

David Mwesigwa Nyanzi, the Principal of this institute showed optimism that Katikkiro’s visit has given them much more energy and belief that the Kingdom is thinking about them.

Kasawo Institute was started in 2010 with a population of 60 learners. It offers courses including catering and Hotel Management, Hairdressing and beauty, Motor vehicle mechanics, Nursery teaching, computer studies, Domestic electrician, Bricklaying and concrete practice among others.