Kyabazinga wants youth programmes in computer literacy and cultural education
The Kyabanzinga emphasised that agriculture remains the backbone of the sub-region and praised the project’s focus on women and young people, but stressed that sustainability in the modern world requires digital skills.
Heifer International delegation led by John Ssenyonga (5th left), the Project Director of SAYE, in a group photograph with Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV (5th right), together with Busoga Kingdom's second deputy Prime Minister Alhaji Osman Ahmed Noor (4th right), CURAD's Executive Director Apollo Ssegawa (3rd left) and FSME's Executive Director John Walugembe (3rd right) at the Kyabazinga's Igenge Palace in Jinja City on Monday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)
_______________
JINJA - The King (Kyabazinga) of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV has called for the inclusion of computer literacy and a stronger cultural grounding for the region’s youth.
The King made the call while hosting a delegation from Heifer International Uganda and its implementing partners, whom he hosted at Igenge Palace, Bugembe in Jinja City on December 9.
He emphasised that agriculture remains the backbone of the sub-region and praised the project’s focus on women and young people, but stressed that sustainability in the modern world requires digital skills.
“In this dynamic global world that is changing every other day, our youth need those skills to better sustain themselves and become better leaders in society,” said Kyabazinga.
He urged that cultural education should also be woven into youth programmes to produce morally upright and responsible citizens who give back to their communities.
$48 million investment
John Ssenyonga, the Project Director of Stimulating Agribusiness for Youth Enterprises (SAYE), a MasterCard Foundation-funded initiative, revealed that the five-year (2023-2029) $48 million project aims to empower 250,000 young Busoga residents aged 15–35 with decent and fulfilling work.
Operating in every district and chiefdom of Busoga, Ssenyonga elaborated that the programme supports four main pathways: which include Commercial farming through youth-led cooperatives led by Heifer International; Agro-processing and value addition led by Consortium for enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development Ltd (CURAD); Business development services and market linkages led by the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises – FSME); and Access to finance through a revolving credit fund and bank partnerships.
He added that in the first two years alone, the consortium has already reached 85,000 youth, with 53,000 now in employment or self-employment, and has formally registered 99 youth-led enterprises.
Ssenyonga highlighted acute land scarcity as the biggest bottleneck, with over 70% of beneficiaries engaged in on-farm production but lacking access to arable land.
Kingdom structures key to deeper impact
The second Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, Alhaji Osman Ahmed Noor, requested that Heifer International Uganda, through the SAYE project to channel 5% ($2.4 million) of the $48 million investment of the SAYE project through Kingdom structures that reach every village.
Partners, Apollo Ssegawa, CURAD’s Executive Director and John Walugembe, FSME’s Executive Director, showcased practical successes which include over 100 youth-made brands now trading nationally, new agro-processing facilities under construction in Nakalama in Iganga district and Jinja for cooking oil, animal feeds, dairy and meat products, and innovative plans to franchise hygienic roasted-chicken outlets and elevate Busoga’s famous “Rolex” into a nationally recognised brand.
A united goal
Closing the meeting, the Kyabazinga reiterated the Kingdom’s full commitment, adding that he looks forward to working together to ensure they score one goal and serve his people.
The delegation confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding with Busoga Kingdom will be finalised soon to formalise collaboration on land access, mindset change campaigns, cultural integration, and digital skills training – signalling a new chapter in the drive to lift Busoga’s youth out of poverty through agriculture, innovation and entrepreneurship.