Leaders in Greater Ankore have praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s ambition of skilling the region’s young to reduce unemployment.

“I’d like to use this opportunity to congratulate President Museveni for his vision of preparing young people to be job creators rather than job seekers. Hon. Molly Asiimwe, the Woman Member of Parliament for Rwampara District, also expressed gratitude to First Lady Janet Museveni for her assistance as Minister for Education and Sports, stating that this is what was lacking in the education system.

The legislator made the remarks on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the graduation ceremony for 507 students who learned vocational skills at the Greater Ankore Zonal Industrial Hub in Muko village, Rushozi Sub-County, Mbarara District.

Students in the second and third intakes finished their vocational training and received certificates in leather processing (shoe making), tailoring and design, bakery and confectionery, welding and metal fabrications, hairdressing and makeup, carpentry and joinery, and building and construction practice.

Hon. Asiimwe, who represented the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi, praised the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, for being an effective manager and accomplishing the President’s dream.

“This program, handled by the State House and led by Jane Barekye, is one of the President’s most successful and significant programs. Managing 19 industrial hubs is not easy, but you have done an excellent job of skilling our children, and we know God will continue to guide you,” Hon. Asiimwe said, adding that the program has not only provided vocational skills but has also ensured that youths who had lost hope are ideologically sharpened to become good citizens in character, conduct, and competence.

According to Mr. Johnson Turyamwesimira, Principal Qualifications Officer, DIT, students from the administrative units of Mbarara District, Mbarara City, Mitooma, Ntungamo, Rwampara, Rubirizi, Sheema, Rubanda, Buhweju, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, and municipalities were awarded a Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One Certificate by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), which is equivalent to the Uganda certificate of education level.

“The certificate we are offering you is ISO certified, which means it is valid for employment in East Africa and around the world. Those who are unable to obtain employment immediately should be innovative and creative and establish their own. We believe that if we can skill all Ugandans, regardless of age, we would eliminate unemployment,” Mr. Turyamwesimira stated.

She also promised to remind President Museveni of the need to expand and build additional dormitories in hubs with larger catchment areas in order to boost the number of children accepted to each district.

The State House Comptroller also commended the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) for imparting discipline in students through mentality change and ideological training.

She also promised to remind President Museveni of the need to expand and build additional dormitories in hubs with larger catchment areas in order to boost the number of children accepted to each district.

The State House Comptroller also commended the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) for imparting discipline in students through mentality change and ideological training.

“We receive children from many locations and backgrounds, some of whom are married and others from the streets, and we work with the UPDF to help them change their ways and leave as transformed persons. I thank them for agreeing to be trained and skilled,” Ms. Barekye stated.

Hon. Jovanice Rwenduru, the Woman MP for Kiruhura District, vowed on behalf of her colleagues in Parliament to continue supporting the President’s skilling initiative so that more young people benefit.

“I also came here to voice my support for the president’s initiative to skill the kids so that they are not left behind in development. All Ugandans are treated equally in the NRM house, which is led by President Museveni. “As Members of Parliament, we will continue to support him,” Hon. Rwenduru stated.

Mbarara City Mayor, Mr. Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, stated that the program will reduce criminality and unemployment among the region’s youths, who have long been used by the opposition for personal gain.

“Let us all praise President Museveni for this fantastic program. The opposition has previously used them to their advantage; now they cannot because they will be too busy applying their skills to the money economy,” Mr. Kakyebezi said, before urging the State House to consider establishing a skilling presidential hub per district to accommodate more people.

Ms. Nimusiima Ritah of Shema district, who learned tailoring skills, is one of many people who have testified about how the program has altered their lives.

“I didn’t know anything, but today I can make any type of clothing you can imagine. I applaud President Museveni and the NRM government for the skills they have provided us. “You have truly empowered us to stop begging,” Ms. Nimusiima stated.

Ms. Naturinda Suzan from Rubirizi area, who did hairdressing, informed the visitors that thanks to the UPDF’s mentality development training, they are now more confident in society and are not waiting for jobs to come their way.

“When you sleep, so does the money. So I’m working tirelessly to earn my own money. I thank President Museveni.

Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, also addressed the occasion, thanking the various partners with whom they are collaborating to ensure the success of the skilling hubs.

The Presidential Skilling program is being offered in other 18 State House-controlled regional industrial hubs located in Kyenjojo (Tooro), Ntoroko (Rwenzori), Kasese (Rwenzori), Greater Masaka, Greater Mubende, Mengo (Kampala), Mbale (Bugisu), Napak (Karamoja), Kwen (Sebei), Gulu (Acholi), Lira (Lango), Masindi (Bunyoro), Zombo (West Nile), Greater Kayunga, Soroti (Teso), Kabale (Kigezi), Adjumani (Madi) and Tororo in Bukedi sub region.

Members of Parliament, RDCs, LC5 Chairpersons, Mayors, CAOs, State House officials, and local leaders were among those who attended the ceremony.