Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, reiterated Parliament’s commitment to supporting the State House in advancing the Presidential Skilling Program, aimed at combating unemployment in Uganda.
“Madam State House Comptroller, I’ve heard that you require Shs10 billion to establish common user facilities for our skilled youths. Please bring the documents to Parliament, and we will allocate the funds,” Tayebwa addressed the State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye.
“This skilling program deserves support as it offers solutions to unemployment. Let’s express gratitude to President Museveni for this remarkable initiative.”
Tayebwa, also the Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North in Mitooma District, made these remarks at the graduation ceremony of the Kigezi Presidential Zonal Industrial Hub in Kabale District.
A total of 462 trainees, including 243 girls from the first and second intake, completed their vocational training and received certificates in seven disciplines: bakery and confectionery, welding and metal fabrications, leather processing (shoe making), tailoring and design, hairdressing and makeup, building and construction practice, and carpentry and joinery.
Tayebwa commended legislators, especially those on the Budget Committee, for allocating funds to the presidential hubs to ensure more young people receive hands-on skills training, noting that the funds have been well utilized.
He urged students to maintain discipline as they embark on their journey into the job market.
“Look at me, the deputy speaker of Parliament. A few years ago, I was in your shoes, nobody. I once protested on the streets but never lost focus. You too can succeed in life; it’s your turn to change the situation,” Tayebwa encouraged the youth.
He also cautioned against detrimental practices like alcoholism.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is alcoholism among the youth. Instead of investing money to improve your income, some resort to drinking. This is unacceptable,” Tayebwa emphasized.
The Kigezi Presidential Zonal Industrial Hub is situated in two villages, Rukaranga and Murambo, in Buranga Parish, Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Ndorwa West Constituency, Kabale.
David Bahati, the Minister of State for Industry and MP for Ndorwa West, commended State House for realizing the President’s vision by establishing Presidential skilling hubs that meet standards nationwide.
“We allocated Shs120 billion to build presidential hubs in all regions of Uganda. I’m pleased this was achieved,” Bahati remarked.
“We are impressed by your efforts. Equipping youths with skills to create jobs aligns with the NRM government’s agenda to ensure prosperity under President Museveni’s leadership.”
According to Jane Barekye, the intended goals of the hubs initiated by President Museveni have been achieved, including job creation, training job creators, reducing crime, and enhancing household incomes.
“The President plans to establish common user facilities with necessary machinery in every district hosting a skilling hub to enable graduates to practice their skills,” Barekye disclosed.
She urged trainees to maintain discipline while seeking opportunities.
The Kigezi Industrial Zonal Hub is one of 19 hubs constructed across the country to train over 12,000 youths annually under the Presidential Initiative on skilling the youth for the job market.
Other beneficiary districts include Greater Mbarara, Greater Masaka, Kayunga, Kampala, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Ntoroko, Adjumani, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Kibuku, and Jinja.
Trainees underwent two sets of examinations from the Directorate of Industrial Training under the Ministry of Education and Sports, including modular assessment and level one assessments.
Each learner received a Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One certificate from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), which is equivalent to the Uganda Certificate of Education and recognized internationally.
“This certificate attests to your competency,” said Johnson Turyamwesimira, the principal qualifications officer at DIT.
Emmanuel Lion Mwebesa, the manager of Kigezi Presidential Zonal Industrial Hub, commended the UPDF for providing mindset training and ideological orientation, contributing to vocational skills development, among other skills.
“It has been a collective effort to ensure trainees improve their discipline, and I’m pleased we achieved that,” Mwebesa stated.
“We haven’t just trained these individuals but also nurtured them to be transformational leaders. Thanks to President Museveni for his foresight in skilling the youth and fulfilling his promise to build industrial hubs as per his manifesto.”
He encouraged graduates to seize opportunities with their acquired skills.
“As a Manager, seeing transformed lives in which I played a part brings me satisfaction. I’m proud of you. This is the day the Lord has made,” Mwebesa concluded.
Kabale Woman MP Catherine Ndamira Atwikiire praised President Museveni for his vision to alleviate poverty, particularly in Kabale, Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukia, Kanungu, and Rukungiri districts.
“I thank President Museveni for championing peace and transformation. I commend our youth for embracing vocational skills to join the job market,” Ms. Ndamira expressed.
Raymond Akankwatsa Kamugisha, Director of Industrial Hubs and Presidential Projects at State House, appreciated partners’ collaboration in ensuring the success of the program, including the Ministry of Local Government, RDCs, Youth Chairpersons, people with disabilities, and the UPDF, specializing in mindset change and ideology.
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