President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the Presidential Industrial Hubs for their role in combating unemployment among Uganda’s youth.
The President, currently on a regional tour to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model and wealth creation programs, commissioned the Lango Presidential Skilling Hub in Lira District.
“I’m glad that you, the parents, have responded very well to the initiative of training these young people for free. We are going to expand the skills here to include motor mechanics, plumbing and electric installation so that they (the children) have a bigger base of skills,” President Museveni said.
The 19 Presidential Industrial Hubs across the country focus on practical fields such as building and construction, carpentry, welding, hairdressing, baking, tailoring & fashion design, leatherwork, and agriculture.
These hubs aim to equip over 12,000 youths annually with practical skills for self-employment and job creation.
President Museveni expressed satisfaction with the new curriculum introduced by the Ministry of Education, which includes practical studies.
“So please, if you appreciate what is happening here, go and spread it out in the primary schools and secondary schools,” he added.
However, President Museveni expressed concern over schools that continue to undermine the objectives of Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education programs.
“But I’m also not happy because we had started this effort in 1996 when we introduced UPE and later USE. We wanted the children of the poor to study free in government schools, but you did not implement it. You went on introducing charges in schools.As a consequence, many children went on dropping out of schools. That mistake of blocking children from education must be stopped,” President Museveni stated.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of accommodating children who study from home to cut on costs.
A primary school per parish and then a secondary school per sub-county were meant to achieve this.
The President also promised to support skilled children through their SACCOs established per district.
He gave Shs 30 million to the three skilled finalists who shared their testimonies and promised another Shs30 million to the SACCO of the regional chairpersons.
Vice President Jessica Alupo welcomed President Museveni and the First Lady to Lango, reaffirming the NRM’s vision of securing the future of all Ugandans through wealth creation and shared prosperity.
“Your Excellency, there’s no doubt that the NRM under your leadership is honoring the promises of the people of Uganda,” she said.
The Zonal chairperson of the Lango regional Presidential Skilling hub, Mr. George Abudul, informed the President that the hub is shared equally among the 11 administrative units of Lango sub-region.
A total of 243 youths are recruited every 6 months, with each district sending 21 children for training.
To date, a total of 910 youths, 453 of whom are female, have been trained.
“Since the majority of the jobs are in the private sector and since our economy is private sector led, I would like to thank you for the vision of establishing the presidential skills hubs in all the zones of this country. Not only to close the skills gaps but also to enable our young people to acquire skills and competencies for the world of work. This is in line with your vision of jobs and wealth creation,” Abudul said.
He requested President Museveni to increase the number of trainees per intake from 240 to at least 500.
The ceremony was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries.
