Mulago Skilling Centre, located in UEB Village in Mulago Parish, was a hive of activity yesterday as a large number of parents and well-wishers went to the Community Hall to view for the first time the handwork of their children who had completed a six-month skilling course in several disciplines.
The center, which is part of the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC), offers 11 different disciplines such as carpentry, welding, construction, plumbing, electrical installation, electronics, tailoring, embroidery, knitting, hairdressing, shoe making, and tire recycling.
The Minister of Kampala City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, who was the Chief Guest, praised the Special Presidential Assistant on Education and Skilling and Head of the PISGBC program, Dr. Faith Katana and her team for Skilling the youths under the support of the State House.
The Minister expressed her enthusiasm for the products displayed, mentioning embroidery, which is expensive on the open market in comparison to the prices supplied by the youths, which are more affordable.
“I wish to recommend that everyone, especially politicians, should come and witness what is taking place here and at all the Skilling centres,” she stated.
Hajjat Kabanda asked parents to send their children for skilling so that they can benefit from the free information available and finally get a recognized certificate from the Directorate of Industrial Training. The Minister also recommended students to apply their knowledge and form SACCOs to gain access to startup finance.
She encouraged all Ugandans to adopt government programmes like as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and others.
Hon. Persis Namuganza, the State Minister for Housing, expressed her delight at seeing young girls and boys create wonderful items after only six months of skilling.
She was very delighted with the quality of the structure, welding, and hairdressing supplies.
“I am quite satisfied, particularly with the housing and design section. This is the ministry in which I am involved. In fact, they design everything, including the washrooms, which is exactly what I desire; I believe that every Ugandan should have a home like that–very well organized,” she noted.
The Minister congratulated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the project, saying that it is the way to go if the country wants to unleash the potential of its youth.
Hon. Namuganza also praised pupils for their academic performance and promised to advocate for them.
Ms. Aminah Lukanga, Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC), exhorted beneficiaries to retain discipline, use what they had learned, and never return to wicked ways.
Dr. Faith Katana, Special Presidential Assistant on Education and Skilling and Head of the PISGBC program, described Mulago Skilling Centre as unique since it serves a broad catchment area including Kalerwe, Katanga, Kamwokya, Bwaise, and Mulago, and has housed the city’s most notorious criminals.
“You dreaded looking into their eyes when they initially arrived here. They realized their ability after counselling and have now been changed into the greatest,” she said.
Dr. Katana also congratulated the counsellors and instructors for a job well done.
She specifically thanked God for being at the center of the skilling effort, as well as Fr. Angelo, Parish Priest of Mulago Catholic Church, for providing the venue for skilling the youngsters.
Ms. Wanyama Juliet, the Administrator of Mulago Skilling Centre, revealed that 641 of the 790 enrolled pupils are scheduled to take final exams.
Mr. Godfrey Kayizzi, an LC1 leader of UEB Village in Mulago 2 Parish since 1987, expressed his gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for the project, stating that peace has returned to his area and that criminal activity has decreased significantly.
Ms. Olivia Nantongo Nalongo, another resident and mom, was equally pleased. She was pleased to see her daughter Nassanga Ida sewing lovely outfits and other items after only six months of tailoring classes.
