Take advantage of youth programmes - Muyingo
Sep 03, 2014
The minister for high education John Chrysostom Muyingo has advised out-of-school youths to take advantage of existing government programmes targeting youth, in order to create jobs and fight poverty
By Andrew Masinde and Raymond Baguma
The minister for high education John Chrysostom Muyingo has advised out-of-school youths to take advantage of existing government programmes targeting youth, in order to create jobs and fight poverty.
“Government has created programmes such as the Youth Livelihood Programme with sh19 billion in the last financial year. And this financial year there will be sh30 billion for youth. I advise you to position yourselves and access the money,” Muyingo said.
The minister was chief guest at the 10th graduation ceremony for Makerere Institute for Social Development (MISD). The institution is affiliated to Makerere University Business School.
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Students of Makerere Institute for Social Development during their 10th graduation at main campus in Kampala Photo/ Mary Kansiime
A total of 335 students were awarded diplomas and certificates in various disciplines such as secretarial studies, counseling, business administration, computer science, and journalism. Other courses include accounting and finance, development studies, procurement, project planning and management as well as information technology.
“Government has created an environment to make you better. There is also the student loan scheme for those who want to pursue further studies,” minister Muyingo added.
He said that only six percent of Ugandans possess higher education qualifications, yet for economic take-off, a country should have at least 40 percent of its population with higher education qualification.
“That’s why we encourage individuals to invest in education. We attach importance to what the private sector is doing for the country. It’s the responsibility of government to educate citizens; but the work is a lot for the government to do,” said Muyingo.
He advised the management of MISD to alter the building plan by installing an elevator to cater for the physically disabled students and they sick who may not be able to use the stairs.
He advised the graduands to promote the virtues of honesty, respect for others, self-control, discipline, patience, ambition and love for God if they are to succeed in life. He also advised them to seek opportunity and pursue further studies to improve on their academic qualifications.
The Principal of the institute, A.M Byaruhanga said that high taxes levied by Government on private education institutions are preventing people from accessing education; and asked government to be lenient.
The graduation was attended by the Emeritus Bishop of Hoima Catholic diocese Edward Baharagate; the institution’s patron Boney Katatumba; and Bishop Hannington Mutebi the bishop of Kampala diocese.
Education consultant Fagil Mandy encouraged the graduands to embrace the Skilling Uganda programme and train themselves in skills such as cookery, hairdressing, and vehicle mechanics.
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