The State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, has issued a stern warning to leaders of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub SACCOs across the country, urging them to uphold integrity and transparency in the management of funds disbursed by the government to support youth enterprises.
Speaking during a training session at the Karamoja Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Napak District, Barekye emphasized that the funds recently allocated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are meant to transform livelihoods, not to enrich a few individuals through corruption or misuse.
“If you use these funds properly, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised to add more into your SACCOs,” Barekye stated.
The training brought together SACCO leaders and beneficiaries from the Karamoja, Sebei, and Teso subregions as part of a nationwide sensitization campaign to strengthen financial accountability and management among beneficiaries of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Initiative.
The program follows President Museveni’s recent empowerment drive, where he injected Shs8.8 billion into SACCOs attached to skilling hubs across Uganda to boost youth enterprise start-ups. Each SACCO received Shs50 million as seed capital to help trainees establish sustainable businesses in various trades.
Barekye urged leaders to exhibit transparency, discipline, and dedication in handling the funds entrusted to them, warning that misuse of public resources would not be tolerated.
“You have come here to witness what the President promised. This is a permanent project if handled well,” she noted.
She also cautioned leaders against diverting funds to individuals who were not trained through the skilling program, describing such actions as criminal.
“Open your eyes, money is money. Don’t misuse the power. You can decide to use people who didn’t study from here, but that is very criminal and we shall arrest you if you give the money to non-trainees,” she warned.
Barekye further advised against favoritism or discrimination in the distribution of funds, noting that all qualified beneficiaries should be treated equally regardless of personal affiliations or differences.
“Don’t turn this money into a ransom or only give it to those you like. This is a big project under your district; prepare to manage these funds well so that Mzee’s project doesn’t fail,” she cautioned.
The Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing accountability and traceability in the management of the funds.
“All applicants should have a location where you stay, where you are from or where you will always be. Save yourself from embarrassment and stress and do the right thing,” Kamugisha advised.
The training session also featured expert facilitators, including Lutalo Joseph from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and Abdallah Aziz Apat from Post Bank, who guided participants on financial discipline, leadership, and cooperative management.
Lutalo highlighted the importance of ethical leadership in ensuring the sustainability of government projects and cooperative societies.
“It has been proven that bad leadership and governance affect the sustainability of cooperative societies. Leaders should treasure and follow the cooperative values and principles,” he said.
Aziz encouraged the trainees to cultivate a savings culture and reinvest profits to ensure long-term wealth creation and independence.
Beneficiaries Praise President Museveni’s Initiative
Several beneficiaries shared testimonies of how the skilling hubs have transformed their lives, turning them from unemployed youths into successful entrepreneurs.
Isangu Rose, a graduate of the Karamoja Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, expressed her gratitude to President Museveni for giving her a second chance in life.
“I am very grateful to President Museveni. My parents were not able to pay my school fees and I had dropped out in S.5, but through a friend I got to know about the skilling hubs where I applied and was recruited. With the skills I got after the six-month course, and the Shs10 million startup capital when the President commissioned this hub, I was able to start my own bakery in Serere town. I now employ four people and save Shs450,000 every month,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Awe Jacob, from the Teso Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, narrated how his bakery in Soroti City has enabled him to support his family and live a dignified life.
“Life was very hard before I joined the skilling hub, but I’m now able to earn money and take care of my family. I want to urge women not to wait for kameza money but instead join hubs and get skills,” he said.
“I also thank the President for the Shs50 million support to each SACCO. We are going to utilize these funds well and expand our businesses,” Jacob added.
Another inspiring success story came from Opio Gerrison Nakuya, a former trainee in welding and metal fabrication at the Teso Skilling Hub, who now owns a workshop in Abim District employing three workers.
“I want to thank President Museveni for giving us a chance to get skills. I had never thought of being someone important, but now I can get contracts. In my first contract, I earned Shs2.5 million. As chairperson of the Teso SACCO, we received Shs50 million from the President, and we are very happy. This is going to help us work together for development,” he said.
The training in Karamoja is part of a broader nationwide initiative by State House to equip SACCO leaders with financial literacy and management skills, ensuring that the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs continue to create sustainable employment and wealth for Ugandan youth.
By fostering accountability, transparency, and good governance, the government aims to secure the long-term success of the skilling program and cement it as a cornerstone of Uganda’s industrial and socio-economic transformation.
