Hon. Persis Namuganza, Minister of State for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development (Housing), has praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for launching developmental programs such as the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/Boy Child (PISGBC), which have transformed the lives of Ugandans, particularly the youth.
She stated that the PISGBC initiative has played a significant role in skilling poor youngsters in Kampala, which has helped to establish work possibilities and consequently improve their lifestyles.
The Minister made the remarks yesterday 19th Sept 2023 when Nakulabye Skilling Center participants displayed the things they were able to create over the six months of free skills training. The PISGBC programme comprises nine skilling facilities scattered across Kampala’s five divisions.
Hon. Namuganza also praised the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, the Special Presidential Assistant on Education and Skilling, and project coordinator, Dr. Faith Katana Mirembe, for their contributions to the project’s success.
She also told the recipients that she would consult with His Excellency, the President, to see how they could find a market for their high-quality items.
Ms. Beti Olive Namisango Kamya-Turomwe, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), also praised President Museveni for his visionary leadership, which has helped Uganda to minimize young unemployment via skilling.
She pushed the trainees to put their newly gained abilities to good use in order to improve their lives.
Mr. Nzaire Sedrack Kaguta, Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for Kiruhura District, highlighted that the initiative is for all Ugandans, regardless of political allegiance.
“The money used in this project is taxpayer money, not NRM money; therefore, as parents of underprivileged children, you should ensure that your children benefit from such projects,” said Mr. Nzaire, who is also the Revolutionary Guard’s National Coordinator.
Dr. Katana, on the other hand, urged the business community to avoid importing commodities manufactured in Uganda, such as shoes and textiles, before assuring them that Uganda now has thousands of trained youngsters capable of producing excellent products ready for consumption.
Ms. Naikazi Sarah, Administrator of Nakulabye Skilling Center, stated that they recruited 420 trainees, 52 boys and 368 girls, who received free six-month training in several vocational fields.
She added that the trainees took five courses: tailoring, hairdressing, shoemaking, knitting, and embroidery.
Ms. Aminah Lukanga, the Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC), and Dr. Patrick Byakatonda, Director of the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), among others, also attended the occasion.
