Ms. Jane Barekye, the State House Comptroller, has highlighted that the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC) project is non-partisan and intended to serve all impoverished Ugandans in Kampala.
“I don’t think any Ugandan should include politics in the skilling effort since it is not sectarian. It is not based on political affiliation or religion; we skill every Ugandan, therefore anyone who wants to include politics or sectarianism in skilling is someone who despises all Ugandans, and no one should listen to them,” she said.
Ms. Barekye made the remarks yesterday while students from Mutundwe Skilling Centre in Rubaga Division displayed their products ahead of their final exams at the centre.
Similar celebrations have been held at eight skilling centres in Kampala, including Luzira, Wabigalo, Kigoowa, Kikoni, Wandegeya, Nakulabye, Mulago, and the Subway skilling centre.
Ms. Barekye also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all PISGBC parents and students for their unwavering love and belief in President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has provided an everlasting answer for Uganda’s bright future.
“I understand that harsh situations might occasionally cause young people to misbehave, but we thank God that the President devised a solution. “This skill-building initiative is transforming the lives of those who had lost hope,” she stated.
The State House Comptroller, on the other hand, advised the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors for the President’s project by working hard and remaining disciplined.
“To all students who have completed their courses, remember that you are the President’s children wherever you go since he has given you these abilities. She emphasized that your good behavior will help the President’s skill-building initiative.
Ms. Barekye also asked parents to help their children create businesses using the skills they’ve learned.
She also praised Church leaders, particularly Rev. Stephen Lumu, for hosting the skilling project and promised to increase the number of courses for boys because there is enough capacity at the facility.
Ms. Aminah Lukanga, Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC), expressed her appreciation for the pupils’ remarkable work at the centre.
She asked everyone to support the project by purchasing products manufactured by students from the nine skilling facilities.
“I am very impressed with the work done by the girls and boys at all nine skilling centers.” As you can see, I’m wearing a dress designed by students at the Subway Skilling Centre. This indicates how much we are amazed, and I am already a member of them, they have shoes, decorations, furniture and everything. Oh my God we have reached our top,” she said.
Ms. Lukanga reminded leaders to only nominate disadvantaged children from Kampala for the upcoming intake.
Dr. Faith Mirembe Katana, Special Presidential Assistant on Skilling and Education and Head of the PISGBC project, praised President Museveni for his effort, which has altered the lives of young people.
“God should bless the President because he has truly done his best for these children whose lives have now improved,” she said.
Dr. Katana remarked that many of the enrolled adolescents are troubled, and he advised parents to bless their children rather than curse or chase them away from home.
“Imagine a parent instructing his or her child to leave the house and live on the streets. Ignoring and pushing your children away from home will only lead to trouble. Please bless your children. We have enrolled many disturbed people, but we do so with the intention of assisting them via counseling to straighten their attitudes and become better citizens,” she stated.
Ms. Jane Nakitto, Administrator of Mutundwe Skilling Centre, said that the centre now provides training in tailoring, knitting, embroidery, shoemaking, hairdressing, baking, and catering. She stated that 331 girls and 73 boys are prepared for their tests.
Some of the students, including Waiswa Ngobi, Prossy Byokusenge, and Irene Nalugo, gave compelling and emotional testimony, expressing their profound thanks to the President for the program that has changed their lives.
The PISGBC initiative has advanced skill development by combining additional extracurricular courses such as Patriotism, which instills in students the spirit of loving themselves and their nation.
