PM Nabbanja tips graduates on job creation

Masindi: The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, has advised graduates to be job creators, not seekers.

She was presiding over the graduation ceremony of 454 students at the Presidential Industrial Zonal Hub Bunyoro in Kiryana Village, Kimengo, Sub County Masindi district, on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

The graduates were awarded certificate level one from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT).

Nabbanja asserted that the presidential initiative aims at fighting unemployment, mostly among the youth, reducing criminality, and reducing poverty in order to improve household income.

She therefore challenged the graduates not to join the unemployed youth but to be job creators in their societies after attaining skills in different fields.

Nabbanja said that skilling Ugandans is a key component of the national empowerment agenda to empower the youth. She also asked the youth to change their mindset and make good use of the skills they have acquired.

The leader of government business warned graduates against running to money lenders to acquire start-up capital but rather make use of initiatives like innovation hubs and startup grants like the Youth Livelihood Program and Emyooga, among others, which are being rolled out to support young entrepreneurs across the country.

According to the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, the multi-billion shillings project was set up with the aim of addressing poverty and unemployment through skilling youths and promoting import substitution.

“Another objective was to reduce the level of criminality in the towns, in the villages, and in our communities, which was perpetrated by the high levels of unemployment. Most of the youths had turned into criminals, but after 6 months, they are now good citizens who love their country and good people to live with,” Ms. Barekye said.

She revealed that President Museveni plans to establish common user facilities with the required machinery in different commercial districts where skilled graduates can operate from and sell their products.

Ms. Barekye also informed the Chief Guest that President Museveni will, in the near future, launch the 4-acre model training in the skilling hubs that will also act as demonstration farms for the surrounding locals to learn how to use a small piece of land to do commercial agriculture.

She also noted that the certificates they have been awarded are intentionally recognized, and encourages them to also seek jobs outside the country.

The LCV Chairperson for Masindi District, Mr. Cosmas Byaruhanga, lauded President Museveni for what he termed a great idea that has enabled a total of 664 youths to graduate since the inception of the Presidential Hub.

“In the first intake, we had 210 students who graduated, and now we have 454 graduated youth, well skilled in those various programs that our community demands. This was a great idea of His Excellency the President of Uganda to fight unemployment,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.

He further called upon the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, to have a special grant for Bunyoro and provide start-up capital in the form of equipment to the skilled youths to enable them to start their own enterprises.

Mr. Byaruhanga also appreciated the Uganda Investment Authority for providing them with 100 acres of land on which the Bunyoro Industrial Hub is seated.

“This place was secured from the Uganda Investment Authority because, as you are aware, land is very difficult to get. We had almost failed as Bunyoro to get land for this industrial hub, yet H.E. the President has ordered every region to have an industrial hub. I want to thank the UIA for providing this land. And this is what made me stay here as district chairperson; I would be in Parliament as MP,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.

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