District leaders across the Teso sub-region have been warned against favouritism, corruption and the enrolment of ineligible applicants into the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub programme, as State House moves to strengthen accountability and ensure the initiative benefits Uganda’s most vulnerable youth.
Representing the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting at the Teso Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub yesterday, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs at State House, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, stressed that the programme was established to fight household poverty through practical vocational skills and should not be hijacked by privileged individuals.
“Do not bring your own children or well-off relatives. This programme is intended to fight poverty and transform mindsets. We want the most vulnerable young people to benefit from these opportunities,” Eng. Kamugisha said.
He reminded district leaders that only applicants aged 18 years and above qualify for admission and warned that corruption during the selection process would undermine the programme’s objectives.
Eng. Kamugisha also introduced Patrick Okadepap, the newly appointed Regional Finance Officer responsible for overseeing SACCOs established under the Teso Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub.
He said the recruitment of regional finance officers is intended to safeguard government funds disbursed to graduates through SACCOs and ensure beneficiaries utilise the money for its intended purpose.
“When we established these SACCOs, we decided to recruit finance managers because public money must be protected. Their role is to ensure beneficiaries use the funds for their intended purpose,” he said.
He further urged district local governments to provide office space for hub SACCOs to strengthen supervision and improve service delivery.
Eng. Kamugisha also noted that the government plans to inject additional capital into SACCOs that demonstrate sound management and accountability.
“Those who think of swindling this money should not dare. Better-performing SACCOs will receive additional funding in future, so transparency and accountability are critical,” he warned.
The Director also announced that State House is preparing the next phase of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs programme through the establishment of Common User Facilities (CUFs) and value-addition centres.
He said district leaders have been requested to identify at least six acres of land, preferably within urban areas, where the facilities will be established to enable graduates to undertake industrial production and value addition using shared equipment.
“We are looking for land measuring six acres and above in urban centres for Common User Facilities and value-addition centres. These facilities will enable our graduates to produce competitively, add value to their products and create more employment opportunities,” he said.
Eng. Kamugisha added that the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has already allocated land to State House for the establishment of a Common User Facility and a Four-Acre Model demonstration site for the Teso Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of Presidential Industrial Hubs for Eastern and Northern Uganda and Special Presidential Assistant in Charge of Political Affairs, Mr. Godfrey Longa, commended the people of Teso for embracing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s wealth creation agenda and applauded local leaders for mobilising vulnerable youth to enrol in the programme.
“This project belongs to all of us. The President initiated it and brought it to life. It is now our responsibility to protect it and ensure it achieves its intended purpose,” Mr. Longa said.
Leaders from across the region, however, appealed to the State House to increase the number of training slots allocated to Teso, citing overwhelming demand for admission.
Soroti City Resident City Commissioner Mr. John Michael Okurut described the hub as one of Uganda’s finest vocational training centres, saying public appreciation of the programme has grown significantly.
“When I served in Napak District, many young people expected to receive money before joining the hubs. Today, the situation has completely changed. Since coming to Teso, I have found overwhelming demand for admission.
Selecting beneficiaries has become highly competitive because people now understand the value of this programme,” he said.
He appealed for an increase in the current allocation of about 20 trainees per district and Soroti City.
Former Minister of State for Teso Affairs and Kumi District NRM Chairperson, Hon. Christine Hellen Amongin Aporu, urged leaders to intensify community mobilisation to ensure deserving beneficiaries access the programme and encouraged Resident District Commissioners to use radio programmes to sensitise the public.
The meeting also highlighted the programme’s growing impact through testimonies from beneficiaries.
Victor Apedo, who dropped out of Primary Six after her parents failed to raise school fees, now owns a salon, trains three young women free of charge and earns a living using skills acquired at the Teso Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub.
“I received Shs705,000 through the hub SACCO after graduation, bought salon equipment and started my own business. I also train three girls free of charge because I received these skills at no cost. President Museveni changed my life and restored my hope,” Apedo said.
Another beneficiary, Isaac Akora from Serere District, has built a thriving shoe-making business after receiving Shs998,000 through the hub SACCO. His first production earned him Shs1.5 million, and his business capital has since grown to approximately Shs2.5 million.
Current trainee Jude Omilogor said the programme had restored his hope after he failed to continue with formal education.
The Head of the Bakery and Confectionery Department, Ms. Jane Aiso, said the initiative has transformed not only the lives of trainees but also those of instructors, noting that the Teso hub employs more than 40 staff members.
Beneficiaries appealed to the State House to organise refresher training in entrepreneurship and SACCO management to strengthen their enterprises.
The Manager of the Teso Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, Mr. Charles Lotiang, pledged continued collaboration with district leaders to advance President Museveni’s vision of empowering Ugandan youth through vocational skilling and wealth creation.
The Teso Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub serves beneficiaries from Amuria, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Kalaki, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Kumi District, Kumi Municipality, Ngora, Serere, Soroti City and Soroti District, where leaders say demand for admission continues to outstrip the available training opportunities.
