President Museveni war on unemployment intensify as 477 Graduate in Vocational Skills in Bukedi
She further appreciated the management of the Bukedi skilling hub for setting the standards high for others across the country in terms of the quality of work produced and witnessed.
“It is one thing to have a training centre like this, but it is also another to have good trainers. According to what we have seen in the workshops, your works are very good, and I rank you the best hub in the country. I’m going to inform the President to appreciate you in a special way,” Ms. Barekye assured.
The State House Comptroller further revealed that under the same program, State House has a plan to set up a common user facility where the beneficiaries can go and work in groups without paying for machines and electricity, produce items and sell them.
“The President has all that plan and we are going to present our proposal to the Cabinet for consideration and funding,” she said, calling upon the people in the area to make use of the 4-acre model training centre established at the hub in order to learn modern farming methods on a small piece of land which is also a presidential initiative aimed at helping Ugandans increase their household incomes.
Bukedi Zonal Industrial Hub in Kibuku 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 of the youth to usher them into the money economy. Other beneficiaries include Greater Mbarara, Greater Masaka, Kayunga, Kampala, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Ntoroko, Adjumani, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Kabale, and Jinja districts.
Each learner was awarded with 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 recognized according to the DIT- Deputy Director Assessment and Certification Dr. Michael Okumu.
“This is a certificate for the world of work. Allow me to appreciate the President and NRM government for reviving and bringing back the promotion of employable skills by setting up industrial hubs across the country,” Dr. Okumu said.
Mr Okurut James, the LC5 Chairperson for Butebo district who spoke on behalf of the Hub Zonal Management committee informed the chief guest that the Presidential skilling initiative in Bukedi came at the right time when the region and the whole country is trying to find a solution to unemployment.
“To the people of Bukedi, this hub is ours and it is meant to help our population to fight unemployment. This one brings us together as a region and I would like to thank H.E the President of Uganda for this initiative. This is one of his successful programs because it touches the core of society-the youth. This is the way to go,” Mr. Okurut said, adding that the program has been so impactful.
“On Sunday I met a parent who recommended his son to come here in the first intake to learn bakery. He told me that the knowledge his son acquired influenced his siblings into bakery. The father testified to me that now all the family can do the bakery. He has not kept the knowledge to himself but shared with others,” he told the guests.
Mr. Okurut however appealed to the State House to increase the enrollment numbers as the region is grappling with the huge number of unskilled youths who equally need the opportunity.
“This region is big. It starts from Majanji, Samia-Bugwe in Busia District to Gogonyo, Pallisa County in Pallisa District. We therefore request that we expand it to allow more students or we create another hub in the south either in Tororo or Busia because for them to reach here, they go through a certain hub in Mbale,” he added.
The Hub Manager, Ms. Ouma Teddy appreciated the sight and focus that the NRM Government discovered and planned wisely for the development of Bukedi Sub region through the establishment of the industrial Hub.
“I take this golden opportunity to pass a special vote of thanks to the entire team of the National Steering Committee industrial Hubs – State House for the Logistics and Technical support rendered to us by the Bakedi which has brought Mzee’s vision into a practical reality. None of their efforts can be underestimated as good outcomes are already noted,” Ms. Ouma said.
She further thanked the parents in the region for entrusting them with their children for skilling.
“Our dear chief Guest, I take this golden opportunity to congratulate our 477 graduates for having attained this milestone. My daughters and sons, congratulations and thank you so much for being good children. Come 2026, Please don’t forget our dear Jaja H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” she added.
The Director of Industrial Hubs and Presidential Projects at State House, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha appreciated partners with whom they work to ensure the success of the program. These include among others; the Ministry of Local Government, Resident District Commissioners, Youth Chairpersons, people with disabilities and the UPDF who impart mindset change and ideology skills to students.
Ms. Logose Jane, a student of the first intake from Budaka district who acquired skills in tailoring informed the chief guest that the parental love extended to them during their time at the skilling hub, enabled them to learn with ease.
“When I went back home, I sold my two goats I had and I used the money to acquire one second hand sewing machine which I’m now using to work and also teach fellow girls. They can also do something. I really appreciate the government for this free initiative,” Jane said.
Other students who shared testimonies of hope included; Joel Wonambwa Yakuwa from Busia, Fatuma from Bunyole East in Butaleja district and Ndoboli Dauda Abubakali who called upon fellow youths to register with the district authorities such that they don’t miss out on the opportunity.
The ceremony was attended by Resident District Commissioners, LCV chairpersons, security officers, District commercial Officers, District National Resistance Movement-NRM chairpersons, LC3 Chairpersons, Youth leaders, among others.