Alupo calls for expansion of Presidential Skilling Initiative

SOROTI | Vice-President Jessica Alupo has called for enhancement of the Presidential Skilling Initiative by incorporating additional assessment and training packages across the 19 hubs nationwide.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony of youth skilled in various disciplines in Soroti on Wednesday, Alupo emphasised the importance of introducing programmes focused on commercial agriculture and ICT to better equip students for the evolving job market.

She directed Uganda Investment Authority to avail land for the State House Comptroller to build a common user centre in each region where student can work after training and get capital.

Over 450 youth across the region equipped with different skills walked home with a certificate in vocational training.

"We are very privileged because we have just graduated people in beauty and salon operations, restaurants and hotel management and many others," she said.

"However, under commercial agriculture government has kept engaging farmers in to modern farming. We need to add this component of ICT and commercial agriculture," Alupo added.

VP Alupo expressed her appreciation for graduates who have established workshops and provided employment opportunities, encouraging them to maintain discipline and good health.

Highlighting the inclusivity of the programme, Alupo applauded the government's efforts to ensure no one is left behind, regardless of their background or circumstances.

She urged parents who lost property during insurgency to register with their district leaders for compensation, with the Attorney General slated to address the issue during his visit to the region.

The Presidential Skilling Initiative, comprising 19 hubs across the country, aims to achieve various objectives.

Ms Jane Barikye, the State House Comptroller, said the programme's success in meeting its goals and highlighted plans to establish common user centers in each region to provide post-training opportunities and access to capital.

"One of the president s objectives was to crate jobs among the youth," he said.

Emmanuel Okumu, director of the Industrial Training Hub, hailed the initiative's contribution to reviving key components of skilling in Uganda, with 19 hubs operational nationwide.

"We are grateful that this industrial hub has revived the key component of skilling," he said.

The Presidential Skilling Initiative is a cornerstone of Uganda's efforts to empower its youth and foster economic growth through skill development and job creation.