📷 Mukula calls for skilling ministry creation

By Rhyman Agaba

KAMPALA - For Uganda to fast-track industrial growth and enhance employment opportunities, a ministry dedicated to skilling should be created, National Resistance Movement (NRM) party vice-chairperson (eastern region) Capt. Mike Mukula has suggested.

"In 2026, I implore the Government to create a ministry in charge of skilling to create employment opportunities for our people," Mukula said.

Kadaga said raw materials like sugarcane, which are abundant in Uganda are used to make toilet paper, which she suggested should be introduced to reduce unemployment. (All Photos by Maria Wamala)

According to Mukula, Opposition politicians take advantage of unemployment to influence idle youth and misuse them to create chaos, which disrupts business and security.

Mukula was on February 27, 2025, speaking at the Kigoowa Skilling Centre in Kampala city. The facility shares premises with St Andrea Kaggwa Catholic Church.

This was during the showcasing of the student's work learnt and achieved in the last six months of training.

The State House-sponsored event attracted over 300 parents, and students under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/Boy Child (PISGBC).

"In Asia, the Tiger countries used skilling to catalyse the growth of their countries. Africa on the other hand is a sleeping giant," Mukula noted.

He said Uganda does not need to export labour to the Middle East. He believes the migrant casual labour should be kept in Uganda and skilled them to empower our country by adding value to the workforce.

He commended President Yoweri Museveni for his visionary leadership that has enabled peace to prevail in the country, saying it is because of this stability under the NRM regime that is now being exported to neighbouring countries.

Benchmark 

Speaking during the same event, Rebecca Kadaga, the third Deputy Prime Minister, who is also in charge of East African Community affairs, suggested that Uganda should benchmark from other countries.

"I went to Philippines and noticed that some of the clothes were made from pineapple, yet we are wasting pineapple leaves, I hope President Museveni can sponsor you to travel to the Philippines and Sri Lanka to learn from them," Kadaga said.

She said raw materials like sugarcane, which are abundant in Uganda are used to make toilet paper, which she suggested should be introduced to reduce unemployment.

"I have been associated with PISGBC for some time, I have visited Wandegeya and the Subway centre, both of which suffered disruptions during COVID-19 lockdown, I thank President Museveni for this foresight," Kadaga added.

During the showcasing event, a series of fashion items manufactured by the PISGBC students were exhibited.

Some of the items, including bridal wear, baked food items such as cakes and cookies plus a castle cake, which was cut by Kadaga and the PISGBC management team and other resident leaders.

Kadaga urged Ugandans to market these products.  She also urged the students to utilise the six months they have so far spent together to bond and tap into that newly found social capital to boost their career ambitions after they graduate from their various courses.

A variety of courses including weaving, tailoring, construction, hairdressing, makeup, shoe making and leather designing are among those offered at the school (free of charge) courtesy of President Yoweri Museveni.

Mukula noted that skilling is the future of Uganda that will address the challenges created by a surging population, which he attributed to a high fertility rate of about 6.1 per woman.

14,000 passed out 

The head of skilling for all the nine centres within Kampala, Dr Faith Katana Mirembe, commended State House Comptroller Jane Barekye and President Museveni for their support towards this initiative, which she said has so far churned out 14,000 students who have graduated with Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) level one certificate.

"This year, 15,000 students have been taught in 14 trades in nine skilling centres in all divisions of Kampala," Katana explained.

The half-year intensive hands-on skilling caters for vulnerable youths who have been previously involved in crime, stealing, and killing, according to Katana, most of them were robbers who have since repented and found value in themselves. She credited President Yoweri Museveni for this transformation.

The students are all fed at each of the nine centres in Kampala plus the other 19 centres spread out around the country.

In Kampala alone, this covers 230 teachers and support staff who all benefit from this State House budget.

"Each student costs about shillings five million yet each intake has over 5,000 who register to join.

Katana, who was elegantly dressed in a checkered black and white dress, said she was wearing PISGBC students' products.

"Uganda is ready to stop importation of leather products, this is intended to create industries that can accommodate all these people," Katana said.

Testimony 

"I decided to do embroidery because it generates a lot of income," John Beyenza, the guild president for Kigoowa Skilling Centre, said.

He says unlike other courses; it is a two-in-one as it involves tailoring and designing.
One of the parents, Pastor Jackie Juuko of Alpha Church in Kisaasi Central, said she was happy for her two teenage daughters studying tailoring.

"The dress I'm wearing today was tailored by Jackie, she made this dress for me and ensured I wear it today," Juuko stated.

She commended President Museveni saying many girls who had dropped out of school, have a renewed sense of hope and purpose.

Juuko said her daughter now earns shillings 20,000 per day from her tailored outfits.
Sarah Nakaizi, the administrator for Kigoowa Skilling Centre, said the courses are costly. She commended the local council leaders for their support.

The dignitaries who included the Ugandan ambassador to Ethiopia as well as Bruhan Byaruhanga, the Resident City Commissioner for Kampala (Makindye) among others received gifts from the skilling centre and its management.

"We eat a variety of food on a daily basis with Uzima mineral water on our daily menu," Nakaizi said.

According to her, the current cohort only had 56 boys while the majority: 410 are girls. She encouraged parents to bring in more boys to sign up for the next intake due in March.

The centre rents space from St Andrea Kaggwa Catholic church, where they hold fellowship every first Monday of the month.

_____________________

Students showcase work learnt and achieved in the last six months of training, all photos by Maria Wamala;