Museveni commissions Mengo Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub

KAYUNGA - President Yoweri K Museveni has commissioned the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Kayunga District.

Such centers aim at empowering the youth through hands-on training.

“This is not just a hub. It’s a battlefield for wealth creation. In 1996, we promised ‘Bonna Basome’ education for all but along the way, that promise was betrayed by school authorities charging illegal fees,” President Museveni said at the commissioning on Friday, June 20th.

Addressing a huge crowd, he, however, said, "My vision was distorted by head teachers and PTAs. That’s why I returned to Luwero, this time not with guns, but with tools of skilling the youth. That is why I created these hubs.

“Big machines like industrial cutters will be shared across districts to boost productivity and income,” the President said. (PPU Photos)

These hubs are my new frontline. Through them, we are skilling, transforming, and liberating Uganda’s youth.”

The Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub is part of a wider network of 19 industrial hubs across the country under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Youth, which aims to equip over 12,000 vulnerable Ugandans annually with practical and income-generating skills.

The hub offers training in various trades such as welding, tailoring, baking, shoemaking, mechanics, carpentry, and cosmetology, among others. Each learner graduates with Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One Certificate equivalent to Uganda Certificate of Education and it's internationally recognised.

The Presidential Press Unit reports that as part of his three-day wealth creation and Parish Development Model (PDM) assessment tour in Greater Mukono, Museveni promised additional support to the hubs.

He also revealed plans to introduce common-user production facilities.

“Big machines like industrial cutters will be shared across districts to boost productivity and income,” the President said.

At  the same event, Minister of State for Finance in charge of Planning and a Member of Parliament for Ntenjeru North,  Amos Lugoloobi, reported that the hun
empowers  420 youths every six months with practical skills, a DIT certificate, and the dignity of entering the income-generating world.”

He asked government to increase the number of beneficiaries and expand accommodation facilities.

The Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub is part of a wider network of 19 industrial hubs across the country under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Youth, which aims to equip over 12,000 vulnerable Ugandans annually with practical and income-generating skills.

Beneficiaries testimonies 

Mastula Nantongo, a 28-year-old single mother of four from Luwero district, says that she has mastered hairdressing after six months of training.

"I'm grateful to my instructor, Madam Sophie, who connected me to St. Clare Technical School, where I was employed to train students and earned Sh150,000 monthly. 

“With my savings,  I bought salon equipment plus accessories and later rented space for my business. Today, I own a salon in Luwero with nine workers. We offer services like manicures and pedicures, braiding, and men’s haircuts. I now earn about Sh600,000 per month,” she said. 

Natongo received applause when she added, "I used to feel hopeless, but now I feel rich.

“I pay school fees for my two children, and my three siblings, and take care of my mother. I also bought land."

Ashraf Semakata, a 23-year-old  from Gomba District,  joined the hub after S.4
“I am a Senior four dropout. After losing my father, life became very difficult. I resorted to carrying loads for people just to survive. On a good day, I would earn about shs10,000,” he said. 

After a tip-off from the LC I official in Gomba, Semakata enrolled at the hub for a six-month course in bakery and confectionery.

"After completing the course, I opened my own bakery near home. Today, I supply a variety of confectioneries to several schools and traders." 

Semakata reported that he also trains students from three secondary schools in Gomba, at Shs50,000 per head.

“I now earn between Shs800,000 and Shs900,000 per month. With that money, I pay school fees for my four siblings, take care of my mother, and have even bought two cows. I am no longer just surviving; I am building a future," he revealed, attracting applause from guests and students at the hub.