The Lango Presidential Zonal Industrial hub at Lira University in Lira City has kicked off the training of youths in skills development and value addition to agricultural produce.
A total of 220 young people earlier admitted to the hub started a six-month course in tailoring, carpentry, bakery, knitting, shoe making, hair dressing, welding, coffee processing, stone cutting and maize processing.
The hub targeted disadvantaged youths aged 18-32 according to the hub’s assistant manager Vicky Abura. It will operate semester modules – with two each year — after which learners will be handed certificates.
“It is intended at skilling the unprivileged youths, who have not had the time and opportunity to attain former education, so they too can join a money economy,” Abura said.
The Lango sub-region is composed of 10 districts which include Lira, Otuke, Alebtong, Kwania, Dokolo, Amolatar, Apac, Oyam and Kole. Lira City is also counted in.
“Our capacity is to admit 300 youths in the Lango sub-region. We should be able to graduate them in January next year,” Abura said.
In 2020 President Yoweri Museveni directed that government allocates Shs 130 bln for the construction of 21 Zonal Industrial hubs across the country to enhance youth skilling and training.
The establishment of the hubs in all the sub-regions was completed early this year. Under this Presidential initiative on skilling plan, some 12,600 youths will be skilled each year.
“We are skilling them to (help them) transform their lives with both applicable and employable skills. That should accord them financial independence,” Abura added.
“The mantle of securing the future of Ugandans is such a great task. It’s not a gamble but a matter which requires a lifelong commitment, unending sacrifice and vast experience,” she told the media on Tuesday.
The Alebtong LC V chairperson David Kennedy Odongo who heads the district chairpersons in the sub-region, lauded this initiative.
He said because of the Lord`s Resistance Army (LRA) war which resulted into abject poverty, a number of young people failed to attain formal education that would open them to decent employment.
“This is a very good approach and I want to appeal to the people of Lango to embrace the opportunity regardless of political affiliation,” he said.
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