KABALE – Over 1,000 people from Ndorwa West constituency in Kabale district have undergone entrepreneurial skills training to improve their business prosperity.
This was realized in a one week seminar organized by the area Member of Parliament and also the State Minister for Planning, David Bahati. The training took place at Kigezi College Butobere and was facilitated by Enterprise Uganda, Private Sector Foundation Uganda and the World Bank.
While closing the seminar on Saturday, Minister Bahati asked participants to use every little resource before them to generate income for their families.
“I grew up from a poor background having lost my parents at 3 years. I did several petty businesses like selling banana leaves and charcoal. This activated my business mind and I am sure that you too can achieve it,” said Bahati.
He asked Ugandans to remain optimistic in whichever opportunity they would wish to undertake since blessings always fall on a positive mind.
Bahati said that government is doing all it can to enable entrepreneurs to prosper in the country.
“We have introduced various schemes to facilitate youth, women and other social groups that would wish to venture into businesses of their choice,” added Bahati.
Bahati stressed that government is improving the infrastructure and roads sector of the country to make it possible for the business community to operate without much hustle.
Speaking at the same platform, the Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Darius Nandinda hailed Ndorwa West leaders for being exemplary in fighting poverty in relation to the President’s vision.
He said that due to poor leadership in some parts of the district, residents still struggle with poverty.
“Our leaders are not supposed to be just representatives in big offices but should guide our thinking and approach towards poverty eradication,” said Nandinda.
Charles Ocici, the Enterprise Uganda Chief Executive Officer asked participants never to underestimate their capacity to develop since they possess within themselves the capacity to achieve all their heart’s desires.
He outlined the five basic wealth givers for any business as; customers, staff, suppliers, government and bankers.
Other areas tackled during the seminar included business opportunity identification, entrepreneurship attitude strategies, job creation, principles of starting up businesses among others.
Safe Mucunguzi, one of the participants from Katuna said that the training has equipped him with skills in saving, customer care and business trustworthiness.
“I have for long desired to start up a poultry project but with this training, I am well equipped with the basic skills of getting set for my business. I have learnt that saving part of your income to invest in a business is the best way to go if one wishes to prosper,” he said.
Joy Kyokushaba from Kamuganguzi said that the training has taught her to control the rate at which she deviates business money to other unproductive ventures.
“I have been having a tendency of borrowing business money to my friends and other people but this must stop especially now that I know its negative repercussions,” she said.
