NGO to train 5000 on entrepreneurship

By Innocent Anguyo and Solomon Muleyi

SAWA World, an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) will on Sunday train at least 5,000 Ugandans on how to create their own businesses that are suitable for the Ugandan market.

The training which is free of charge will take place at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala starting from morning until evening. Though the training is open to everyone, its prime target is the unemployed youth.

25 successful local social entrepreneurs will offer training on how to start and manage numerous businesses including mushroom growing, bee keeping, paper beads, building Eco-fuels stoves and Eco-briquettes, chicken rearing, soap making and pineapple jam making among others.

 “There will be several booths each showcasing a unique business. Any one will have the opportunity to choose to learn any business of his or her interest,” said Sheila Ampumuza, the Outreach Director of Sawa World Uganda.

The businesses to be showcased, Ampumuza said are self-made, require limited resources or capital to begin, thrive without the support of charity or international aid, and can be easily replicated by others, including youth.

According to Daphne Nederhorst, founder of Sawa World, people who attend the training will get the opportunity to actively engage with the numerous display booths and learn, hands-on, simple techniques that will give them the tools to change their own livelihoods.

“Participants will be able to replicate the solutions they learn at Sawa World Day in their own communities by setting up or working with similar small businesses in order to generate income and thereby improve their own access to basic necessities.

The one-day exhibition provides a unique opportunity for Ugandan youth to learn 25 practical skills, have the confidence to start their own small-scale business and instantly improve their livelihoods and that of their community, “reiterated Nederhorst.

Junior Security Minister Muruli Mukasa urged Ugandans to utilize the opportunity to learn how to start and sustain locally successful businesses.