Kibuku, (UG):- In a remarkable display of commitment to empowering the youth, the Presidential Initiative – BUKEDI Zonal Industrial Hub in Kibuku district celebrated its first graduation ceremony on Friday, May 03, 2024.
Ms Teddy Ouma, the Industrial Hub Manager, announced that a total of 477 students successfully completed various courses over a period of six months, receiving certificates in different vocational skills disciplines.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Kibuku Industrial Training Hub in Tirinyi Town Council, Ms Ouma expressed her gratitude to President Museveni for his visionary initiative to provide free vocational skills training to underprivileged youths.
The program, which began in 2023 with seven courses and 240 students, has now expanded to cater to a larger number of students.
The graduates acquired skills in a series of vocational courses including; Baking and Confection, Carpentry and Joinery, Welding and Fabrication, Hairdressing, Tailoring, Leather Designing (Shoemaking), and Building
Ms Ouma highlighted the comprehensive support provided to the students during their training. They received free accommodation, classic meals, bedsheets, and blankets, and were even trained in physical fitness by UPDF instructors.
She warned against individuals who falsely claim to collect money for recruitment, emphasizing that the program is entirely free of charge.
Hon. Minister Jennifer Namuyangu Kacha Byakatonda, the State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs and District Woman MP of Kibuku attended the graduation ceremony as the chief guest.
In her address, she urged the people of the Bukedi region to allocate 500 acres of land for the construction of a large industrial park similar to the one in Mbale City. The aim is to create more job opportunities, particularly for the youth, and alleviate the burden of unemployment.
Minister Namuyangu emphasized President Museveni’s commitment to establishing 18 industrial hubs across Uganda to combat poverty among educated and uneducated jobless youths. She commended the selection of Kibuku District for the industrial training hub, as it was the region that delivered 100% of its votes to the President in the Bukedi region.
The Minister called upon parents in Bukedi region to support the initiative by enrolling their children in the vocational skills training programs. She thanked various stakeholders, including the State House controller, the Ministry of Local Government, political leaders from Bukedi region, technical staff, UPDF instructors, and the management and staff of the Kibuku District Industrial Hub, for their support.
RDC Kibuku, Samuel Musiho, also expressed his gratitude to Minister Namuyangu, Jane Barekye – the State House controller, the UPDF, political leaders, and the Ministry of Local Government for their support in organizing the graduation ceremony.
He encouraged the community to participate in the upcoming Malaria World Day event at Kibuku Primary School on May 3rd, 2024, to raise awareness and fight against malaria.
Al-hajj Kikulukunyu Faisal Ssali, Commissioner of Local Economic Development at the Ministry of Local Government, applauded President Museveni for initiating the establishment of industrial training hubs in all regions of Uganda.
He praised the government’s trust in local government authorities to select beneficiaries and emphasized the role of local government in serving the needs of communities.
Al-hajj Kikulukunyu also expressed gratitude to the local government at the district level for their dedication to this project.
Eng Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs at State House, hailed the graduation of over 470 youths as a miraculous achievement in the Bukedi sub-region. He attributed this success to President Museveni’s unwavering dedication to the youth.
Eng Kamugisha extended his thanks to partners such as the Ministry of Local Government for providing free land for the construction of the industrial training hubs.
The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone in the efforts to equip the Bukedi region’s youth with essential vocational skills and create employment opportunities. The Presidential initiative’s commitment to empowering the youth is expected to have a lasting impact on poverty reduction and economic development in the region.
Bukedi Zonal Industrial Hub in Kibuku is one of the 19 hubs constructed across the country with the aim of equipping over 12,000 youths every year under the Presidential Initiative on skilling of the youth to usher them into the money economy. Other beneficiaries include Greater Mbarara, Greater Masaka, Kayunga, Kampala, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Ntoroko, Adjumani, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Kabale, and Jinja districts.
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