SKILLING: President Museveni Commissions Ankole Presidential Industrial Hub

By ROBERT KAMUKAMA

RUBAYA, MBARARA Feb 27 [SHIFTMEDIA] The heat was sweltering , the wind, was dusty, but the emotions were high as another Presidential Industrial Hub was commissioned in Muko village, in Mbarara district, western Uganda.

The ceremonial event was done by Rtd Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and witnessed by Vice President Rtd. Major Jesica Alupo, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, and scores of Ministers, and members of parliament.

While addressing the mammoth crowd, President Museveni said the hub that has so far been commissioned in 19 other regions will transform

The hub is part of a nationwide initiative, with 19 similar hubs across Uganda into a regional economic hub.

He said many youths had so far been skilled in various sectors, like catering , tailoring, carpentry and shoe making.

Museveni who is on tour assesssing the wealth creation and Parish Development Model (PDM) in Ankole Sub region said the only way to come out of poverty is by skilling, and utilising the land well.

Museveni warned families against sub dividing land among children so as to improve and boost commercial agriculture.

Embracing Free Education

President Museveni said way back in 1996 NRM introduced free education, though many people especially the ones in Karamoja didn’t embrace it. He said the drop out rates in Karamoja, standing at 87% was so high especially among Primary seven drop outs.

“Despite these challenges, the NRM government will continue to build a primary school in each parish, and a secondary in each sub county so as to make education more accessible and affordable for our rural children,” said Museveni.

Regarding reduction in cost of education in the country, Museveni said improvement of infrastructure such as teachers houses, laboratories, will be boosted across the country.

Museveni assured the masses that that each zone would have one hub, with the focus on expanding student capacity rather than increasing the number of branches.

President Museveni also highlighted the importance of SACCOs at the district level, urging that all graduates from the hub join them as part of a broader strategy to integrate them into the money economy.

He  unveiled plans for the establishment of a factory to produce papers from banana fibers, offering an eco-friendly alternative to polythene bags.

The president further emphasized the importance of infrastructure in supporting economic growth, announcing plans to tarmac roads, including the Bwizibwera-Ndina-Nyakasaka-Nyakabirizi and Biharwe- Rushozi-Bwizibwera roads.

“When our oil comes, we shall repair all of them, so don’t worry most will be done,” he added.

President Museveni also toured various departments of the Industrial Hub, which include Hairdressing, Welding, Carpentry, Tailoring, Building and Concrete Practice, Shoe Making, and Bakery.

So far, 720 students have graduated from the hub, each receiving a certificate from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) after completing the six-month program.

The president praised several graduates, including Ninsiima Blair, a baking course graduate who now runs a successful business selling mandazi and chapatis; Busingye Brenda, a Carpentry and Joinery

graduate; Ainamastiko Diana, a tailoring graduate; and John William, a hairdressing graduate.

Demonstrating support for the graduates, President Museveni contributed Shs 40 million to four graduates who shared their testimonies to boost their businesses.