KIRYANDONGO, April 2, 2026 — Baylor Uganda, with support from UNICEF, has donated 40 sewing machines to adolescent girls in Kiryandongo district.
These girls recently completed tailoring training at the Bunyoro Presidential Industrial Hub and other vocational institutions.
This donation is part of ongoing efforts to empower vulnerable girls with practical skills and tools, aiming to improve their livelihoods and reduce their vulnerability to social challenges such as teenage pregnancies and school dropout.
Officiating at the handover ceremony held at the district headquarters recently, Morris Tumusiime, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer [CAO] of Kiryandongo, commended Baylor Uganda for its continued support to the district across multiple sectors, including health and education.
He noted that the provision of sewing machines would significantly complement government interventions aimed at addressing the high rates of teenage pregnancies and early school dropout.
“This support comes at a critical time and will go a long way in equipping these young girls with sustainable skills to earn a living and build independent futures,” Tumusiime stated.
Martin Kauta, a Program Officer at Baylor Uganda, urged district leaders to utilise existing administrative and community structures to effectively monitor and support the beneficiaries.
He emphasised the importance of follow-up to ensure the success and sustainability of the initiative.
“We call upon the district leadership to ensure these girls are supported beyond this point. Proper monitoring will help them translate these skills into meaningful livelihoods,” Kauta said.
He also cautioned the beneficiaries against selling the sewing machines for short-term financial gain, warning that such actions would undermine the long-term objectives of the programme.
“Desist the temptation of quick money. These machines are your foundation for a better future,” he added.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner [RDC] Kiryandongo, Inasuku Gloria Natacha, also applauded Baylor Uganda and UNICEF for their targeted support to vulnerable adolescent girls in the district.
She expressed optimism that the initiative would transform the lives and welfare of the beneficiaries.
Natacha encouraged the girls to fully utilise the startup kits provided, stressing the importance of hard work, discipline, and commitment in building successful tailoring careers and small businesses.
“This is an opportunity to change your life story. Use these tools wisely and grow your skills into sustainable businesses,” she advised.
The beneficiaries, drawn from various parts of the district, expressed gratitude for the support, noting that the machines would enable them to start income-generating activities and become self-reliant.
This initiative aligns with broader national and district-level efforts to promote youth skilling and economic empowerment as a pathway to social transformation and poverty reduction.
https://thecooperator.news/mp-acen-offers-sewing-machines-to-alebtong-youth/
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