Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, Minister of General Duties in the Prime Minister’s Office, has given critical advice to beneficiaries of the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC) project on how to maximize the benefits of their gained abilities.

“You must ensure that the things you manufacture meet high standards and quality. Even when modelling or exhibiting your fashion designs, you must continue to do the right thing, smile, and be confident,” she advised.

Hon. Lumumba spoke yesterday as the Chief Guest at a showcasing ceremony for products created by Nakulabye Skilling Centre pupils in Rubaga Division.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church houses a center that teaches youth leather design and shoe manufacturing, tailoring, fashion and design, knitting, embroidery, and hair dressing.

Hon. Lumumba praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the project, which she said will brighten the futures of Kampala City’s disadvantaged youth by eliminating poverty.

The Minister strongly exhorted students to be disciplined, to keep good values, and to put their acquired knowledge into practice, particularly what they had learnt about patriotism.

“Go to the field and put into practice what brought you here at Nakulabye Skilling Centre and become change agents,” she said.

Hon. Lumumba was also pleased to discover that sports have been introduced into the skilling process, which will foster talent and improve networking among students.

“You must be friends, help each other to create a market for yourselves,” she stated.

Hon. Lumumba further promised to fight for the development of production lines, ideally at Namanve Industrial Park, that will employ graduates of skilling centers and other Presidential Industrial Hubs located throughout the nation.

She also thanked Our Lady of Fatima’s Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Emmanuel Ssenkusu, for providing room to train the youth.

Ms. Babirye Yudaya Kigenyi, Minister of Busoga Kingdom in Charge of Kyabazinga Affairs, urged young people to adopt excellent moral behavior.

“As a cultural Institution, moral behaviour is of paramount importance and a priority,” she stated.

She praised the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, the Head of PISGBC and Special Presidential Assistant on Education and Skills, Dr. Faith Katana, and all other stakeholders for carrying out President Yoweri Museveni’s project.

Ms. Amina Lukanga, Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC), also encouraged pupils to have excellent morals and apply their gained skills to better their life.

Ambassador Walusimbi Abbey, the Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of the diaspora, praised President Museveni for the project, citing its effectiveness amid all of the government’s efforts aimed at reducing poverty in Uganda.

On the other hand, Dr. Katana emphasized her and her team’s determination to interpret and realize President Museveni’s dreams.

“We have decided and are determined that as long as we have this opportunity, we will interpret the President’s dreams. “We will manifest, actualize, and materialise President Yoweri Museveni’s dreams,” she promised.

Dr. Katana justified the inclusion of patriotism in the skilling initiative, stating that children are being taught to love themselves and, most importantly, to love their country, which is beautiful and endowed with natural riches.

She commended government institutions such as NIRA for enrolling all students at the nine skilling centres to obtain National Identity Cards.

Dr. Katana encouraged students to take use of the opportunities that God has provided for them.

Ms. Sarah Turyareeba, Administrator of Nakulabye Skilling institution, announced that 228 students from the institution had completed their 6-month course and were now ready to take the final tests.

“They can now be self-employed and job creators,” she said.

At the same day, the Chairman of the Kampala Tailors Association, Mr. Ssekimpi Philip Kakembo, announced an employment opportunity for tailoring students from the Skilling Centres.

Some of the beneficiaries gave eloquent and emotional statements, thanking President Museveni for releasing them through the skilling program.

The ceremony was also attended by the PISGBC Office’s Skilling Managers, Dr. Musoke Hilary Kisanja and Ms. Juliet Namale, as well as the area’s political leaders.