Zombo: Over 80 youth trainees from the West Nile Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub in Zombo District are set to benefit from a UGX 100 million allocation from State House, under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Youth.
The funding is intended to support the trainees’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), enabling graduates to access startup capital and launch income-generating enterprises across various trades.
Amos Jacan, Zombo District Youth Chairperson, confirmed the development, stating that the money was lobbied through government channels to strengthen post-training economic empowerment.
“We lobbied for this from the government. Now we have formed the SACCO and are ready to receive UGX 100 million under the Presidential Skilling Hub initiative. It’s in the form of a loan, and I encourage the beneficiaries to use it wisely to transform their lives,” Jacan said in an interview.
This funding follows President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to expand skilling hubs across the country, with plans to increase their intake to 500 learners per hub. New developments will include additional dormitories and specialized training facilities for high-demand trades such as motor mechanics, plumbing, and electrical installation.
Godfrey Longa, Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, recently emphasized in Maracha District that the President has instructed youth in every district to form associations and register SACCOs, which will receive financial support to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
The beneficiaries of the Zombo Skilling Hub, drawn from sub-counties across the district, are part of cohorts graduating since 2023. Located in Aka Sub-County, the hub serves over 10 districts in West Nile, graduating more than 200 youth annually in trades such as hairdressing, carpentry, tailoring, and mechanics.
Songa Biyika Lawrence, Member of Parliament for Ora County, highlighted the transformational power of hands-on vocational skills, noting their importance in addressing youth unemployment and promoting self-employment.
Uganda’s Presidential Industrial Hubs, now numbering 19 across the country, train over 12,000 youth annually in marketable skills such as construction, welding, tailoring, and agriculture.
President Museveni recently launched the Rwenzori Presidential Skilling Hub in Kasese, reinforcing the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s commitment to poverty eradication through vocational training.
The Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/Boy Child, launched in 2017, continues to offer free six-month training in various trades.
Youth only need a National ID and a recommendation letter from their LC1 Chairperson to enroll. After completing training, graduates are assessed by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) and awarded certificates.
At the recent Pagisi-Namthin road groundbreaking ceremony, Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua urged youth to take full advantage of government initiatives as a means to combat poverty and unemployment.
“This is your moment. Embrace these opportunities to uplift yourselves and your communities,” he said.
Since its launch, the Presidential Skilling Initiative has empowered thousands of youth with practical, market-relevant skills. This approach fosters financial independence, innovation, and community transformation, while reducing the burden of unemployment.
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