As part of government efforts to fight poverty and boost labour productivity, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has through the Green jobs programme given out 2,165 business toolkits and equipment to 93 women and youth groups.
The 93 groups are comprised of 3,364 members (1,258 males and 2,106 females) drawn from across the country.
The beneficiary groups were drawn from 22 districts including Kampala, Oyam, Bushenyi,Kayunga, Rubanda ,Lwengo,Rakai,TororoBusia,Kasese,Buliisa,Gomba,Kisoro,Kyegegwa,Rukiga,Buyende,Gomba, Amolatar, Bulambuli ,Buyende, Sembabule and singiro.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the State Minister for Labour,Employment and Industrial Relations Charles Okello Engola, noted that government is keen on implementing the Green jobs programme in order to address the low productivity and high unemployment, especially among the youths.
“We are aware that this (unemployment) situation is largely being driven by the high skills mismatch, lack of access to credit, inadequate skills, low productivity, use of poor and inappropriate technologies among others. The Green Jobs programme is therefore tackling some of the issues that continue to challenge our people in their quest for producing for the market,” Engola said.
He also indicated that beginning with the 2022/23 financial year, government will expand the programme to reach more Jua-kalis, targeting all constituencies in the country.
According to Ignatius Mudimi, the Elgon County MP and Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Budget Committee, the Green Jobs programme should ensure that beneficiaries are equitably selected from all the regions of Uganda.
“Get equity. Get something even for Karamoja. Let at least a region to benefit from every set of distribution. I am here with total commitment that we are going to support you. Work within the resources and ensure that every region benefits from the programme,” Mudimi said.
Flavia Kabahwenda, the Kyegegwa Woman MP and Chairperson of Parliament’s Gender,Labour and Social Development committee said the challenge of youth unemployment can be solved by equipping the youth with the business skills and equipment like the Green Jobs programme does.
“I love the option of equipping the young people of Uganda for the option of self -employment to become service providers. We can’t offer the amount of jobs that are required for us to drive this country to the spaces where they are required. The only thing we can do is to empower you with tools so that when you get tools, you are empowered to the full,”Kabahwenda said.
According to officials, the Jua-kali groups are selected based on a number of criteria including all beneficiaries being Ugandan citizens, 70% of the beneficiaries should be youth, beneficiaries should be organised in groups with a minimum of five members, the groups should have a known business location, the group should be gender-sensitive.
There are 289 Jua Kali groups in three cohorts, comprising of 6,412 members who have received tool kits and equipment under the Green Jobs programme.