Kyenjojo – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, officially commissioned the Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Kijwiga village, Katoke Sub-county, Mwenge Central, Kyenjojo District.
Addressing the gathering, President Museveni underscored the importance of equipping Ugandans with practical skills, noting that Africa’s historical underdevelopment is partly due to a lack of such competencies.
He commended the hub for playing a key role in import substitution, with local youth now producing previously imported goods like shoes, beds, and furniture.
“The youth trained here are not just learning skills—they are driving Uganda’s industrial transformation,” said the President. “This initiative is critical to reducing youth unemployment and fostering self-reliance.”
President Museveni announced plans to expand the hub by increasing student enrollment and introducing additional courses, including motor mechanics, weaving, knitting, plumbing, and a four-acre demonstration farm. However, he stressed the need to first build student accommodation facilities to support the expansion.
To further empower the graduates, the President pledged government support to form and fund SACCOs at the district level, providing start-up capital for youth-led enterprises.
In his remarks, the President also reiterated the government’s policy of free education under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes.
He condemned the illegal collection of school fees in public schools and emphasised the need to invest more in education rather than creating new administrative units like districts and sub-counties. As part of his support to beneficiaries, the President donated UGX 10 million to each of the youth groups represented at the event.
First Lady Maama Janet Museveni expressed gratitude to the people of Kyenjojo for their continued support of President Museveni and the NRM government. She emphasised that skilling young people is foundational for Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
“The Skilling Hub here in Kyenjojo and others across the country are a clear demonstration of our government’s commitment to empowering youth,” she said, adding that the Parish Development Model (PDM) is another strategic intervention to combat unemployment and poverty.
Hon. Tom Butime, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, hailed the hub’s impact on youth who previously could not afford formal education. Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, commended the President’s relentless efforts to fight poverty and uphold the policy of free education.
Kyenjojo RDC Julian Ayesiga thanked the President for increasing student intake from 240 to 500 and supporting new courses such as electrical engineering and vehicle mechanics. She also welcomed the President’s pledge to help students transition into self-employment through SACCOs.
The event featured heartfelt testimonies from beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed by the skills acquired at the hub.
Kabarokore Sandra, a widow from Bunyangabu District, shared how she dropped out in Senior Three and was left with a baby after her husband’s death. After joining the hub and learning hairdressing, she saved UGX 500,000, opened a salon in Kibito Central, bought a plot of land worth UGX 2 million, and now supports her children’s education.
Murungi Denis, an orphan from Kabarole, dropped out after Senior Four and trained in tailoring at the hub. He has since started his own business and become financially independent.
Kokugonza Sidon from Kyenjojo recalled being idle after leaving school in Senior Three. After joining the hub, she trained in hairdressing, saved UGX 300,000 from her maize garden, and opened her salon. She now also runs poultry and piggery projects, saving UGX 30,000 weekly.
The Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub is one of several regional centres established under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/Boy Child. These hubs are designed to address youth unemployment by equipping learners with hands-on skills, promoting self-employment, and strengthening Uganda’s local production capacity.
