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Over 4,500 youth enroll as govt unveils plans for 17 more skilling hubs
“The Presidential Industrial Hubs have transformed the lives of many youths who had lost hope. However, the demand for training opportunities remains high, and I appeal to the President to increase the number of beneficiaries admitted in every intake,” Kamba said.
At the Madi Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hub in Adjumani district, 240 students from Adjumani, Moyo and Obongi districts were admitted.
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
Government is set to construct 17 additional Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hubs across Uganda following growing demand for vocational training among young people.
The announcement came as 4,560 students joined the sixth intake at the existing 19 hubs established by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to equip youths with practical skills and improve employment prospects.
State House director of presidential projects and industrial hubs, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, said the expansion would increase access to skills training and enable more young people to benefit from the programme.
“We have enrolled 4,560 students this year. Before the end of the current Financial Year, State House will commence the construction of 17 additional hubs across the country to increase access to skills training and empower more young people,” he said.
The hubs provide free training in trades including welding, carpentry, tailoring, building and construction, shoe making, mechanics and hairdressing.
Learners receive accommodation, meals and training materials, while graduates earn certificates from the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), equivalent to the Uganda Certificate of Education.
At the Madi Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hub in Adjumani district, 240 students from Adjumani, Moyo and Obongi districts were admitted.
The hub manager, Christopher Ijjo, said the institution has transformed the lives of many young people in the region since its establishment.
“Since its establishment, the hub has changed the economic fortunes of many youths. A good number of our graduates have started their own businesses and are now earning a living from the skills they acquired here,” Ijjo said.
He also praised President Museveni for introducing the sh50 million revolving fund channelled through graduate SACCOs at district level.
“The presidential support fund has enabled many beneficiaries to acquire start-up capital and become self-reliant,” he added.
John Bosco Olanyi, the head of the footwear department at the hub, said students would receive both practical and life skills training.
“Our programmes are designed to ensure that learners acquire employable skills and become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the Acholi Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Gulu, students began orientation activities, including physical exercises, before registration.
Hub manager Jimmy Lawrence Adong said the facility had admitted 240 students drawn from eight districts, one city and one municipality across the Acholi sub-region.
“We place emphasis not only on technical skills but also on discipline, patriotism and mindset change. These values are essential in producing responsible citizens and productive members of society,” Adong said.
He commended President Museveni for introducing military drills at the hubs, saying they have played an important role in shaping learners’ character.
The deputy resident city commissioner for Gulu, Amir Kamba, who received students at the Acholi hub, said the programme had restored hope among many young people in Northern Uganda.
“The Presidential Industrial Hubs have transformed the lives of many youths who had lost hope. However, the demand for training opportunities remains high, and I appeal to the President to increase the number of beneficiaries admitted in every intake,” Kamba said.
Some of the newly admitted students described the programme as an opportunity to build their futures.
“I am grateful to President Museveni for creating this opportunity. Many young people like me had limited prospects after school, but this programme gives us hope and practical skills to secure our future,” said Winnie Desire Enderu , who travelled from Moyo District to join the Madi Industrial Hub.
Sunday Achiro, a student from Lamwo district admitted to the Acholi Hub, also welcomed the initiative.
“I thank President Museveni for thinking about the youth. This programme is a blessing to many of us because it equips us with skills that can help us become self-employed and support our families,” Achiro said.
The Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hubs programme has become one of government’s flagship interventions aimed at addressing youth unemployment and promoting wealth creation through vocational skills development.