Museveni commissions Tooro Regional Presidential Hub

KYENJOJO - President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, has commissioned the Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub.

The center is located in Kijwiga village, Katoke Sub-county, Mwenge Central, Kyenjojo District.

At the launch ceremonies on Saturday, the President emphasised that Africa’s historical setbacks have been due to a lack of practical skills among its people. 

He noted that the skills being imparted at the hub are critical for import substitution, as many items such as shoes plus beds, among other furniture products that were previously imported, are now being produced locally by youth in Mwenge. 

At the launch ceremonies on Saturday, the President emphasised that Africa’s historical setbacks have been due to a lack of practical skills among its people. (PPU Photos)

He reaffirmed support for the initiative to ensure that the challenge of youth unemployment is addressed through skilling. 

A release from the Presidential Press Unit states that President Museveni pledged to expand the hub by increasing student enrollment and introducing new courses.

These include: motor mechanics, weaving, knitting, plumbing, and a four-acre model demonstration farm.

Before implementing the expansion,  he added, Government will construct student accommodation facilities.

President Museveni also announced that he would support SACCOs at the District level to provide start-up capital to beneficiaries. 

Mrs. Museveni thanked the people of Kyenjojo for their unwavering support for President Museveni and the NRM government. She praised the President for recognising that educating and skilling the young generation is the foundation for national transformation. 

Additionally, he addressed concerns over illegal fees levied on learners in Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools, emphasising that government policy is to provide free education. 

The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all learners study at no cost and revealed plans to establish a vocational school in every sub-county.

He cautioned against the creation of more administrative units such as districts and sub-counties, which increase public expenditure, and called for the prioritisation of education instead. 

To support the beneficiaries, the President contributed UGX 10 million to each of the groups represented.

More leaders' comment on skilling hubs

Mrs. Museveni thanked the people of Kyenjojo for their unwavering support for President Museveni and the NRM government. She praised the President for recognising that educating and skilling the young generation is the foundation for national transformation. 

Establishment of the Skilling Hub in Kyenjojo and other regions, she added, demonstrates the government’s commitment to skilling the nation. 

She also acknowledged the Parish Development Model (PDM) as another crucial government intervention aimed at curbing unemployment and improving livelihoods.

The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime applauded the President’s vision, stating that the Skilling hub has given hope to the youth who could not afford school fees. 

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, also thanked the President for his persistent efforts in fighting poverty and for strengthening the NRM’s policy of free education in both primary and secondary government schools.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kyenjojo, Mrs. Julian Ayesiga, expressed gratitude to the President for increasing the student intake from 240 to 500 and for the plan to introduce additional courses, including electrical engineering, plumbing, and vehicle mechanics. She also welcomed the President’s support towards forming SACCOs to help students transition into self-employment.

Beneficiaries experience

Several beneficiaries shared their testimonies of transformation brought about by the skilling hub. 

Kabarokore Sandra from Bunyangabu narrated how she had dropped out of school in Senior Three due to lack of tuition .

She got married, but later lost her husband in a motor vehicle crash. Left with a baby and no hope, she joined the hub to study hairdressing. With the skills acquired, she returned to her village, saved UGX 500,000, opened a salon in Kibito Central and also bought a land worth sh2 million.

Murungi Denis from Kabarole District, an orphan who dropped out of school after Senior Four, also benefited from the Hub. After training in tailoring, he started his own business and is now self-reliant. 

Kokugonza Sidon from Kyenjojo District shared how she was idle after dropping out of school in Senior Three, but after learning about the Hub from the RDC, she trained in hairdressing.

Previously employed, she now runs her own enterprise. She also has poultry and pigs and manages to save sh30,000 weekly.