Gulu, Uganda: Presidential Coordinator for Greater Northern Uganda, Odoch Bosco Olak, has pledged to champion vocational skills training programs for teenage mothers in Gulu City following his unopposed election as NRM Chairman for Nakasero Parish.
Gulu recorded 4,477 cases of teenage pregnancy between January 2020 and June 2021, according to data from the city and district probation offices. Odoch says his administration will prioritize vocational empowerment for these young mothers as a path out of poverty.
“Vocational training is key to unlocking economic independence for teenage mothers. We must invest in their future and empower them to build better lives for themselves and their families,” he said in an interview.
The proposed training programs will focus on tailoring, hairdressing, food processing, and crafts skills intended to help beneficiaries secure employment or start small businesses.
As NRM Chairman for Nakasero, Odoch also committed to strengthening community security, ensuring better access to government programs, and improving the socio-economic welfare of women in the area.
Susan Abwola, a resident of Gulu City, applauded Odoch’s leadership, calling him a dependable figure who always stands with his people.
“The Presidential Coordinator’s commitment to supporting us in times of need is truly inspiring. He’s a leader who genuinely cares about his people,” she said.
She also urged him to address growing insecurity in Nakasero, citing frequent nighttime attacks. Abwola called on the Presidential Coordinator to engage youth involved in criminal activity and offer them constructive alternatives.
Women in the area, she added, are burdened by economic hardship and family abandonment and need targeted empowerment programs.
Meanwhile, Patrick Okello, a vocal activist in Gulu, appealed to voters to elect leaders who will protect the city’s wetlands. He warned that wetland degradation is accelerating climate-related challenges in the region.
“Let’s elect leaders who will defend our wetlands, secure our future, and protect our city from the ravages of climate change,” he said.
In 2023, Uganda’s youth unemployment rate was 4.50%, a slight decrease from 4.60% in 2022. However, youth unemployment remains a significant issue, with a large number of young Ugandans struggling to find employment.
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