Zombo Skilling Centre graduates urged to focus on income generation, not early marriages

Paidha, Uganda: More than 40 young people from across Zombo District have completed vocational training at the newly established Life Concern (LICO) Skilling Centre in Paidha Town Council, with a strong call for graduates to focus on income generation and self-reliance rather than rushing into early marriage.

The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, November 28, marked a major milestone in LICO’s mission to equip adolescents and young adults with practical, market-relevant skills. The cohort, comprising 13 males and 27 females aged 14 to 24, completed a rigorous six-month curriculum that included tailoring, videography, mechanics, hairdressing, carpentry, computer literacy, entrepreneurship, and psychosocial life skills.

Kakura Emmy Kizito, the Executive Director of LICO, urged unmarried graduates to prioritize entrepreneurship and financial independence. “Focus on establishing firm sources of livelihood to achieve economic independence,” he said, further appealing to parents to provide startup kits to support their children’s transition into work.

Kakura cautioned against behaviours that derail youth progress, including substance abuse and nightlife distractions, and encouraged beneficiaries to link up with government poverty alleviation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Programme.

LICO Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Brenda Malengrwoth highlighted the centre’s commitment to accessibility, revealing that half bursaries will continue to be offered to all learners aged 14 to 24.

Dwonga Ward Town Agent Juliet Amia advised graduates to form cooperative groups to qualify for ongoing government economic empowerment schemes and strengthen their entrepreneurial outcomes.

Zombo District Labour Officer Oscar Pithua praised the program’s impact, saying the graduation directly contributes to reducing youth unemployment. He noted that Uganda releases more than a million young people into a saturated job market every year, making vocational skills a critical buffer against joblessness.

Assistant Education Officer Bikadhu Patrick Othuma commended LICO for supplementing government efforts in tackling unemployment and elevating educational standards through non-formal skilling.

Representing the LCV Chairperson, District Council Speaker Hassan Ringtho lauded LICO’s broad contributions, from human rights advocacy and community empowerment to documentation of land rights and infrastructure support. He encouraged the graduates to transform their livelihoods by fully utilising the skills they have acquired.

Some of the graduates, including Trinity Yikparwoth and Blessing Giramia, who trained in hairdressing, said the program has empowered them with life-changing knowledge that will help them establish income-generating ventures.

Founded in 2003, LICO is an indigenous NGO based in Ndaro Village, Dwonga Ward, Paidha Town Council. Its mission centres on empowering vulnerable communities through education, livelihoods support, financial inclusion, human rights advocacy, and psychosocial interventions.