President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s commitment to eradicating youth unemployment and poverty in Uganda took center stage as State House officials engaged with beneficiaries of the Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs.
The meeting was led by Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, at the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Kayunga District.
District leaders from Greater Masaka, Mubende, and Mukono, alongside SACCO representatives, also participated in the discussions, underscoring the national scope of this initiative.
The focus of the deliberations was to train beneficiaries on the responsible utilization of the Shs8.8 billion recently injected into the district SACCOs by President Museveni.
This funding is designed to empower graduates of the six-month skills training programs to establish small enterprises and create income-generating opportunities.
Representing Ms. Jane Barekye, the State House Comptroller, Eng. Kamugisha explained that each SACCO under the skilling hubs initiative received Shs50 million.
He noted that beneficiaries will borrow funds from their respective SACCOs to kickstart their businesses.
“This is an announcement to all the students who trained from these hubs: you are going to get cash. The President has already disbursed Shs8.8 billion for you,” Eng. Kamugisha said.
He further highlighted that Uganda has 19 industrial skilling hubs spread across 176 administrative units, including districts, cities, and municipalities, all benefiting from this transformative program.
Eng. Kamugisha emphasized that access to capital, often a barrier for young entrepreneurs, has now been addressed through President Museveni’s intervention.
He also cautioned beneficiaries against mismanaging the funds, stressing the importance of accountability.
“Every qualified beneficiary will receive their share after the ongoing training across all industrial hubs is complete. Your share will be deposited in your WENDI account at Post Bank,” he said.
In a broader context, Eng. Kamugisha linked the initiative to the President’s vision of enhancing practical education and innovation.
He noted that the establishment of a university for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) forms part of the plan to nurture skilled, self-reliant youth.
“We can use this small money and become very powerful. The President wants you to use your skills to empower yourselves. That’s why he wants to put a university for skilling,” he told the trainees.
The disbursement strategy is tailored to the type of skills acquired.
Graduates in welding and simpler vocational courses will each receive Shs1.5 million as a loan.
Those in advanced trades, such as shoe-making requiring machinery, will be supported in pairs to promote collaboration and ensure sustainable success.
Eng. Kamugisha assured trainees that this initiative will extend beyond the current phase, with government oversight to ensure sustainability and accountability.
“After phase one, we shall level to phase two. We shall monitor and see who is performing well, and we shall add them more money,” he said.
He also urged beneficiaries without national identity cards to register, as this is a prerequisite for accessing their loans.
“Those without national identity cards should register. I will go to the office of the Executive Director of NIRA to help those without identity cards get them,” he asserted.
Joseph Lutalo, Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, emphasized prudent management of the funds.
“This money is not a reward for studying here but a chance. Since the interest rate is very low, save as soon as you get the money so that you have what to pay back after the one-year grace period,” he said.
Golooba Lwanga, Manager of Financial Inclusion at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, echoed the need for transparency and responsibility in handling the loans.
“The President has entrusted you with these funds to uplift yourselves. It’s your duty to handle this money with seriousness and honesty. You are not paying anything to get this loan, but if you fail to pay it back and all recovery efforts fail, you will be liable to face the law,” he warned.
He further explained that the ongoing training equips SACCO leaders and beneficiaries with financial management skills, ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability.
By fostering responsible financial management, the government seeks to maximize the impact of President Museveni’s efforts to tackle youth unemployment and stimulate economic self-reliance.
Loans are approved according to the SACCO board’s discretion, based on the type of trade and available funds, with a maximum of Shs1.5 million per borrower at a 6 percent annual interest rate.
The program’s success is already visible through the testimonies of graduates.
Sebalamu Isaac, a welding graduate from Munyonyo, shared how the skills acquired enabled him to start his own workshop and employ local youth.
“I want to thank President Museveni for giving us the skilling opportunity. We were recruited on merit and trained for six months without paying anything, and I’m now able to get money and employ other youth,” he said.
Akankwasa Brian Bruno, former Guild President of Mengo Zonal Industrial Presidential Skilling Hub, described how the initiative transformed his life.
“I want to thank President Museveni for introducing the skilling hubs. I was a senior six dropout without any hope of returning to school, but my aunt informed me of the skilling hubs where I applied and got a chance. I graduated in welding and now have my own business, employing two people and earning profits of Shs20,000 per day,” he explained.
The Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub initiative is a clear demonstration of President Museveni’s commitment to eradicating unemployment and poverty in Uganda.
By combining vocational training with financial support, the program empowers young Ugandans to become self-reliant entrepreneurs, contributing to national development and economic growth.
