President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, officially commissioned the Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub located in Kijwiga village, Katoke Sub-county, Mwenge Central, Kyenjojo District.

While addressing guests at the event, President Museveni highlighted the historical challenges Africa has faced due to the lack of practical skills among its population. He underscored the importance of the hub, noting that it equips young people with vital hands-on skills that support import substitution. Products such as shoes, beds, and other furniture that were once imported are now being manufactured locally by skilled youth in the region.

The President reaffirmed his support for the skilling initiative as a solution to youth unemployment. He pledged to expand the hub by increasing student enrollment and introducing new vocational courses, including motor mechanics, weaving, knitting, plumbing, and a model four-acre demonstration farm. However, he emphasized the need to first construct student accommodation facilities before rolling out the expansion.

To support graduates, President Museveni announced his commitment to fund SACCOs at the district level to provide start-up capital for the beneficiaries. He also addressed concerns regarding illegal fees in Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools, reiterating the government’s policy of free education. He revealed that the government plans to establish a vocational training school in every sub-county.

Additionally, the president cautioned against creating more administrative units such as districts and sub-counties, citing increased public expenditure. He called for the prioritization of education instead. As part of his support to the beneficiaries, he contributed UGX 10 million to each of the represented groups.

In her remarks, Maama Janet Museveni thanked the people of Kyenjojo for their continued support to the President and the NRM government. She praised the president’s vision, emphasizing that educating and skilling the youth is key to achieving national transformation. She acknowledged the Skilling Hub as a testament to the government’s dedication to youth empowerment and highlighted the Parish Development Model (PDM) as another important intervention for tackling unemployment and improving livelihoods.

The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, applauded the initiative, noting that the Skilling Hub has given hope to underprivileged youth who could not afford formal education. Similarly, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, commended the President’s continued efforts in eradicating poverty and promoting free education in government schools.

Kyenjojo District’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mrs. Julian Ayesiga, expressed her appreciation to the President for increasing the student intake from 240 to 500 and for the planned introduction of new vocational courses such as electrical engineering, plumbing, and vehicle mechanics. She also welcomed the president’s support towards forming SACCOs to help students transition into self-employment.

Several beneficiaries shared touching stories of personal transformation brought about by the skilling hub:

• Kabarokore Sandra from Bunyangabu narrated how financial hardship forced her to drop out of school in Senior Three. After losing her husband in an accident and being left to care for a child alone, she enrolled in hairdressing at the Hub. With the skills gained, she opened a salon in Kibito Central, saved UGX 500,000, bought land worth UGX 2 million, and now supports her children’s education.
• Murungi Denis from Kabarole District, an orphan who dropped out after Senior Four, also benefited through the tailoring course. He is now running his own business and has become self-reliant.
• Kokugonza Sidon from Kyenjojo District recounted her journey from being idle after dropping out in Senior Three to becoming a skilled hairdresser after enrolling in the hub. After saving UGX 300,000 from farming maize, she opened her own salon and has since expanded into poultry and pig farming. She now saves UGX 30,000 weekly.

These testimonies reflect the transformative impact of the Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub and reinforce the government’s commitment to empowering youth through practical skills development.