President Museveni Commissions Bunyoro Skilling Hub, Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Empowerment

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni commissioned the Bunyoro Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub in Kiryana Myebanyakalongo Village, Kimengo Sub County, Masindi District, emphasizing his administration’s dedication to empowering Uganda’s youth through vocational training. The President underscored that skilling is a cornerstone of Uganda’s economic transformation, describing the initiative as a vital step in “waking up Africa from economic slumber.”

Speaking at the event, President Museveni urged the public to recognize the government’s efforts in establishing zonal skilling hubs as a catalyst for transforming the youth into a productive human resource. He called on administrators of these hubs to expand the range of programs offered to meet the growing demand for vocational training. Highlighting a success story in local value addition, the President pointed to the transition from exporting raw hides and skins to producing leather goods domestically, with the Kawumu Tannery Factory now supplying materials for shoe-making at the Bunyoro Skilling Hub. “This is how we wake up as Ugandans,” he remarked.

The President also addressed challenges in the education sector, criticizing the misuse of Universal Primary and Secondary Education (UPE and USE) programs by some head teachers and parents, which he said has weakened their impact. He urged leaders to reinforce free education policies to ensure vulnerable children have access to learning opportunities. Additionally, Museveni announced plans to inject funds into District SACCOs, enabling youth to access startup capital for entrepreneurial ventures and fostering self-employment.

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja praised the skilling hub initiative as a priority under Uganda’s National Development Goals. She emphasized that equipping students with practical skills would enable them to create jobs for themselves and others, thereby bolstering the nation’s economy.

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, expressed gratitude to the President for spearheading the initiative, which has already empowered countless young Ugandans. She highlighted the broader societal benefits, noting that skilled youth contribute to the welfare of their families and communities. “Unless God builds a house, we the laborers labor in vain,” she said, crediting divine guidance for the program’s success.

Maama Janet stressed the importance of human capital development in Uganda’s journey from a peasant-based society to a modern, prosperous nation. She explained that skills development accommodates both formal and non-formal training, offering opportunities to those who drop out of traditional education systems. The Presidential Initiative, she added, targets vulnerable youth unable to afford formal schooling, complementing the Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) institutions spread across the country.

With the recent enactment of the TVET Act 2025, the Ministry of Education and Sports will now regulate such programs to ensure alignment with government objectives. The First Lady announced the merger of the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) and the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) into a single entity, the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, which will oversee assessments for TVET programs moving forward. She urged the skilling hub’s management to comply with the new regulations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the initiative.

The chairperson of the Bunyoro Zonal Hub, Mr. Byaruhunga Cosmas, lauded the program’s impact, noting that it has graduated 893 students in trades such as bakery, brick-making, hairdressing, welding, and tailoring. However, he raised concerns about transportation challenges faced by students, calling for solutions to improve accessibility.

The event also featured inspiring testimonies from beneficiaries. Tibareka Granimer, a graduate in building and construction, shared how his certificate enabled him to secure contracts and support his livelihood. Similarly, Kobusinge Amanya, a tailoring graduate, recounted using Shs350,000 to launch her own business, which now generates a daily income of Shs50,000, sustaining her family.

The commissioning of the Bunyoro Skilling Hub marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s efforts to equip its youth with the tools for economic productivity, reflecting a broader vision of reducing unemployment and unlocking the country’s potential through skilled human resources.