First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has called upon the people in Busoga to embrace the presidential skilling hubs that are aimed at solving the unemployment problem in Busoga and the entire country.
She made the remarks at Busoga Zonal Presidential Industrial hub located in Jinja while passing out 456 youths after skilling in vocational skills.
“I want to thank His Excellency the President for this life-changing initiative of skilling our youths who are now job creators. I also thank the State House for steering these hubs so well to ensure that the vision of the President is achieved,” Hon. Kadaga said.
The former speaker of Parliament who is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Kamuli congratulated the graduates and pledged her support together with that of fellow members of Parliament in Busoga to support all proposals by the State House Comptroller and her team that were in line to further the President’s skilling program.
“I congratulate all our graduates and thank you for completing the course. Now that you are skilled, I don’t want to hear you just playing cards in the villages. You need to be different by doing something for income like some of your colleagues who have testified here,” Minister Kadaga said.
The trainees from eleven districts that include; Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, Mayuge, Jinja, Luuka, Bugweri, Buyende, Kaliro, Namutumba and Namayingo completed their vocational training and were awarded certificates in seven (7) disciplines namely; Bakery & Confectionery, Tailoring and design, Hairdressing and make up, Building and Concrete Practice and Carpentry & Joinery, Welding and Metal fabrications and Leather processing (shoe making).
Kadaga also locally refered to as ‘Maama Busoga’ was happy to hear girls were taking interest in male dominated courses like welding and metal fabrications, building and construction and carpentry. This also applied to the male gender who acquired skills in tailoring and design, bakery and confectionery and hair dressing and make up which were predominantly for ladies.
“I call upon you to come together, form groups and work together. If for example a tailor, a baker and a hairdresser came together, they can form a bridal company where a tailor will make wedding gowns, a baker will make wedding cakes and a hairdresser will provide salon services,” Hon Kadaga advised, adding that the same applies to welders, carpenters and builders who may also come together and form a complete building and construction company.
“I’m impressed by the work of this skilling program and from what I have seen around, we don’t need to import hospital beds. They are here. I therefore want to ask the government to continue supporting these youths by marketing their output and encouraging them to do more,” the Kamuli Woman MP added.
She promised to support the skilled youths in Busoga with at least 15 sewing machines per district and to provide a workspace for the skilled youths to operate from.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda noted that the skilling program has come at the right time when the region (Busoga) has been grappling with the high rates of youth unemployment perpetrated by the high school dropouts.
“Here in Busoga, we had a challenge of high school dropouts and many had resorted to working in sugar plantations but the President thought it wise to begin these industrial skilling hubs and today we are seeing the fruits of his vision. We have to thank H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and support him to continue his dream,” Minister Babalanda said, adding that the President spends over 4 million shillings on each student in terms of feeding, accommodation and training for the 6 months they spend in the skilling hub not only in Busoga but in the 19 hubs across the country.
“Let me also use this opportunity to thank the State House Comptroller and her team for overseeing this project so well. It is true the funds are insufficient but as Minister for Presidency, I cannot do this alone but with your support, Mama Kadaga and other members of Parliament; so that many more youths can benefit from this program,” Hon. Babalanda informed the chief guest.
She further called upon parents to support their children to achieve their dreams.
“The government under the visionary leadership of H.E the President has done its part. As parents, let’s also do our part by providing what we can to support these youths. Don’t put a lot of demands on them because they are just starting in life. And all of us are called upon to continue supporting the President so that he continues with his vision of ensuring that all Ugandans are skilled. This is how we are going to reach and thrive in the middle-income status,” Minister Babalanda added.
