education 3 October 2026 State House (Uganda)
President Museveni's Skilling Initiative Expands to Busoga with New Hub Planned for Bugiri
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's initiative to equip young Ugandans with practical skills is set to expand, with State House announcing plans for a new Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Bugiri District. This initiative aims to combat unemployment and foster entrepreneurship across the Busoga region. Source: https://statehouse.go.ug/president-museveni-commended-for-skilling-initiative-as-state-house-announces-new-hub-in-busoga
State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, announced that President Museveni has directed the establishment of a new Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Bugiri District, aimed at extending vocational training opportunities to the youth of Busoga. Local leaders in Bugiri have been urged to identify suitable land for the construction of this much-needed facility.
During a stakeholders’ meeting in Jinja City, Ms. Barekye commended leaders, including Iganga District LC V Chairperson Shabiru Isabirye, for prioritizing citizen welfare over political affiliations. Mr. Isabirye, representing the National Unity Platform (NUP), lauded President Museveni for the skilling program, emphasizing its positive impact on the region’s youth and acknowledging the President’s development efforts.
Ms. Barekye also addressed concerns about potential interference in the selection of beneficiaries, stressing that vulnerable young people should not be sidelined by well-connected individuals. The State House plans to enhance verification processes, including home visits, to ensure that targeted individuals benefit from the program.
Discussions also covered the role of hub-affiliated SACCOs in providing start-up capital to graduates. Ms. Barekye indicated that the government intends to inject more funds into these SACCOs to bolster their capacity to support entrepreneurial endeavors. Project Coordinator, Mr. Godfrey Longa, reiterated that the hubs are designed to impart vocational and industrial skills for employment and self-sufficiency.
Recent engagements also included a meeting in Kayunga District, where discussions focused on training expansion, graduate employment, and financing. New courses such as electrical installation, knitting, mechanical engineering, and plumbing are being introduced, building on existing offerings like welding, tailoring, and carpentry.
The expansion of these skilling hubs is a direct response to the growing challenges of unemployment and limited access to formal education, aiming to provide practical pathways to economic empowerment for Ugandan youth.
Source: State House (Uganda)