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In order for the youth to embrace the vocational skills offered by the Presidential skilling hubs, community engagement and support from all stakeholders is key, premier Robinah Nabbanja has said.

Nabbanja says the stakeholders such as parents, teachers and leaders at all levels should encourage the youth to embrace vocational skills offered by the Presidential skilling hubs if the country is to thrive as a middle-income economy.

“We must change our mindset about vocational training and see it as a valuable, respectable, and profitable path. In vocational training, we are nurturing an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship. Our youths should not only be job-ready but also equipped to create jobs,” Nabbanja says.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (L) accompanied by State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (in yellow) interacts with other leaders on her arrival at Bunyoro Zonal hub in Masindi district. (PPU photo)

The Prime Minister, who is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Kakumiro district, made the remarks on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the second graduation ceremony of Bunyoro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Nyakarongo village, Kimengo sub-county in Masindi district.

A total of 454 trainees of the second and third intakes completed their vocational training and were awarded certificates in seven (7) disciplines: Bakery & confectionery, tailoring and design, hairdressing and makeup, building and construction practice and carpentry & joinery, welding and metal fabrications as well as leather processing (shoe making).

“I am here because of the NRM commitment to education. Skilling Ugandans is a key component of our national development agenda to empower the youth, reduce unemployment and drive economic growth. The NRM government is focusing on initiatives like establishing industrial training institutes and innovation hubs to help us achieve our development agenda. We have enhanced the education curriculum in schools to include practical and technical skills. These efforts aim to align educational outcomes with the labour market demands and the broader economic needs of the country,” Nabbanja said.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (C), State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (in yellow) and other leaders inspect some of the detergents made by the graduates at Bunyoro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Masindi district. (PPU photo)

She further noted that modern economies demand workforces that are versatile, innovative, and above all, skilled and it is the government's responsibility to prepare the youth by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed and to ensure they are not just job seekers but job creators.

“Skills such as carpentry, plumbing, agriculture and information technology are not just pathways to employment; they are the backbone of our economy. These are the skills that build nations. China is now a global economic power because of skilling their people. Our government has embarked on several initiatives to promote vocational skills. We have increased funding for vocational schools, introduced new technology courses and are continuously updating the curricula to meet the demands of today's industry need,” she said.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (in yellow) and other leaders interact with some of the metal fabrication youths during their graduation at Bunyoro Zonal Hub in Masindi district. (PPU photo)

At least 300 trainees from Hoima city, Hoima district, Masindi, Masindi municipality, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Kikuube, Kagadi, Kibale and Kakumiro are recruited per intake with each district sending at least 22 trainees.

Caution against moneylenders

On the other hand, Nabbanja congratulated the graduates upon completing the course but warned them against running to moneylenders to acquire start-up capital but rather make use of initiatives like innovation hubs, startup grants like Youth livelihood programme and Emyooga among others which are being rolled out to support young entrepreneurs across the country.

Youths at Bunyoro Zonal hub in Masindi district celebrating the compeletion of their skills training programme in the different programmes. Premier Robinah Nabbanja presided over their graduation. (PPU photo)

“You can easily make yourself enslaved to moneylenders. We know many people who have lost their property to moneylenders. That’s why the President put in place these programmes. As a leader of government business, I will co-ordinate the managers of these programmes to make sure that our skilled youth can be targeted and assisted,” Nabbanja said.

Each learner was awarded a Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One Certificate by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), which is equivalent to the Uganda Certificate of Education level and internationally recognised in the world of work.

“As you go out into the world of work, you only need to look after yourselves. Avoid bad groups that can take you back. Beware of HIV/AIDS that can make you a wasted character,” Nabbanja added.

Reducing unemployment and criminality

According to State House comptroller Jane Barekye, the multi-billion project was set up to address poverty and unemployment through skilling the youth and promoting import substitution.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (2nd R), State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (in yellow) and other leaders inspect some of the garments made by youths at Bunyoro Zonal Hub in Masindi district. (PPU photo)

“Another objective was to reduce the level of criminality in the towns, in the villages and in our communities which was perpetrated by the high levels of unemployment. Most of the youths had turned into criminals but after 6 months, they are now good citizens who love their country and good people to live with,” Barekye said.

She revealed that President Museveni plans to establish common user facilities with the required machinery in different commercial districts where skilled graduates can operate from and sell their products.

Barekye added that President Museveni will shortly launch the four-acre model training in the skilling hubs that will also act as demonstration farms for the surrounding locals to learn how to use a small piece of land to do commercial agriculture.

Over 600 trained

The LC5 chairperson for Masindi district who also doubles as the zonal hub chairperson, Cosmas Byaruhanga, lauded President Museveni for what he termed as a great idea that has enabled a total of 664 youths to graduate since the inception of the presidential hub.

Youths at Bunyoro Zonal Hub in Masindi district celebrating the compeletion of their skills training programme in the different programmes on Friday. Premier Robinah Nabbanja presided over their graduation. (PPU photo)

“In the first intake, we had 210 students who graduated, and now we have 454 graduated youth, well skilled in those various programs which our community demands. This was a great idea of His Excellency the President of Uganda to fight unemployment,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.

He further called upon the Government through the Office of the Prime Minister to have a special grant for Bunyoro and provide start-up capital in the form of equipment to the skilled youths to enable them start their own enterprises.

Byaruhanga also appreciated the Uganda Investment Authority for availing them with 100 acres on which the Bunyoro Industrial hub is located.

“This place was secured from the Uganda Investment Authority because as you are aware, land is hard to get. We had almost failed as Bunyoro to get land for this industrial hub yet the President has ordered every region to have an industrial hub. I want to thank UIA for availing this land. And this is what made me stay here as district chairperson, I would be in Parliament as MP,” Byaruhanga said.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (in yellow) and other leaders interact with some of the metal fabrication youths during their graduation at Bunyoro Zonal Hub in Masindi. (PPU photo)

Tindyebwa Abdu Majid Adam from Hoima, a former bakery trainee, informed the chief guest that he learnt about the programme through his district youth councillor who helped him fill out application forms to get recruited at the industrial hub.

Tindyebwa, who identified himself as a transformation influencer, thanks to the mindset change component by the UPDF, appreciated President Museveni for the free skills that has enabled many to get employed.

“When I finished my six months training here in the bakery, I went to Hoima Resort Hotel where I got an internship opportunity for three months and because of what my instructors had put into my head, I was finally employed as a chef at the hotel,” Tindyebwa said.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (2nd R), State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (in yellow) and other leaders inspect some of the garments made by youths at Bunyoro Zonal Hub in Masindi district. (PPU photo)

Earlier, the National Youth Co-ordinator-State House, Eng. Joseph Ssewava and the Director Political Mobilisation- State House, Robert Rwakandare appreciated the people of Bunyoro for electing President Museveni, saying without him, such programmes would not be in place.

“We have three candles: Peace, faith and Love. We have to thank the President for the peace we are enjoying today across the country,” Ssewava said.

The ceremony was also addressed by Masindi District Woman MP Dr Asiimwe Florence Akiiki and Buruuli county MP Aled Akugizibwe who appreciated the President for the initiative aimed at enabling all the Banyoro to join the money economy.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (L), State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (in yellow) and other leaders inspect some of shoe products made by the youths at Bunyoro Zonal Hub in Masindi district. (PPU photo)

One of the 19 hubs

The Bunyoro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub is one of the 19 hubs constructed across the country with the aim of equipping over 12,000 youths every year under the Presidential Initiative on skilling the youths to usher them into the money economy.

Other beneficiaries include greater Mbarara, Kigezi-Kabale, greater Masaka, Kayunga, Kampala, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Ntoroko, Adjumani, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Kibuku, and Jinja districts.

The ceremony was attended by Resident District Commissioners, LC5 chairpersons, security officers, District Commercial Officers and District National Resistance Movement-NRM chairpersons.