Uganda to Expand Presidential Industrial Hubs to 36 Nationwide

State House is finalizing plans to significantly increase the number of Presidential Industrial Hubs across Uganda, with an expansion set to bring the total number of centers to 36. This strategic move is designed to address pressing issues of youth unemployment and a deficit in vocational skills, according to officials.

Currently, 19 such hubs are operational nationwide, providing intensive, six-month vocational training for young Ugandans aged 18 to 35. The program offers hands-on skills in fields like carpentry, welding, tailoring, and shoemaking, with the latest intake enrolling over 4,500 youths.

Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, Director of Presidential Industrial Hubs and Projects at State House, confirmed that the addition of 17 new hubs is planned for the next financial year, driven by a high demand for vocational training. These new facilities will be distributed to ensure better accessibility, particularly in regions with numerous districts that currently share a single hub, such as Busoga and Acholi.

The expansion also considers linguistic diversity, aiming to establish more localized training centers to improve participation and effectiveness in areas with distinct language groups. This will enhance the program’s reach and impact.

Beneficiaries and local leaders have lauded the initiative for equipping young people with marketable skills free of charge. The program not only offers technical training but also includes mindset change components and seed capital support for graduates to establish their own enterprises. This has led to success stories, with some graduates securing employment in established companies or even exporting their services.

While celebrating the program’s success in reintegrating vulnerable youth and empowering women, leaders have called for an increase in trainee intake capacity at each hub to meet the growing demand. The Presidential Industrial Hubs are a key component of the government’s strategy to foster job creation and self-employment.

Source: Nile Post