Teso Leaders Warned Against Cronyism in Presidential Skilling Hub Admissions

District leaders across the Teso sub-region are under scrutiny following warnings from State House officials regarding the selection process for the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub programme. Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, emphasized that the initiative is designed to uplift the most vulnerable youth and combat household poverty, not to benefit privileged individuals or 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 stated during a stakeholders’ meeting. He reiterated the age requirement of 18 years and above for applicants and cautioned that any form of corruption would derail the programme’s objectives.

The meeting also saw the introduction of Patrick Okadepap as the new Regional Finance Officer, tasked with overseeing Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) established for program graduates. This role is crucial for safeguarding government funds disbursed to beneficiaries and ensuring their proper utilization for business development.

“When we established these SACCOs, we decided to recruit finance managers because public money must be protected,” Eng. Kamugisha explained. He urged local governments to provide office space for these SACCOs to enhance supervision and service delivery. He further announced that well-performing SACCOs demonstrating transparency and accountability could receive additional government capital injections.

Looking ahead, State House is planning the next phase of the skilling hubs, which includes establishing Common User Facilities (CUFs) and value-addition centres. District leaders have been asked to identify suitable land, ideally in urban areas, for these centres, which will enable graduates to engage in industrial production and add value to their products using shared equipment.

The National Coordinator, Mr. Godfrey Longa, commended the Teso region for embracing President Museveni’s wealth creation agenda. However, local leaders appealed for an increase in training slots due to overwhelming demand.

Beneficiary testimonies highlighted the transformative impact of the program. Victor Apedo, who now owns a successful salon, and Isaac Akora, who has built a thriving shoe-making business, shared their success stories, attributing their financial independence to the skills and financial support received through the hub and its SACCO.

Source: State House Uganda