By Our Reporter
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Peter Lokeris has commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for fighting unemployment among the youth through various interventions such as the Presidential Industrial Zonal Hubs project.
Currently, there are 19 Industrial Zonal Hubs spread across the country.
The Minister made the remarks today as the Chief Guest during the second graduation of 423 students who successfully completed their vocational training at Napak Presidential Industrial Skilling hub in Napak District.
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The graduates who represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences from the nine districts such as Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Kotido, Karenga, Amudat, Nabilatuk, Kaabong and the two municipalities of Moroto and Kotido in the Karamoja region were awarded with certificates in seven (7) employable vocational disciplines namely; Tailoring and design, Hairdressing and makeup, Building and Construction Practice, Carpentry & Joinery, Welding and metal fabrications, Bakery & Confectionery and Leather processing (shoe making).
Hon. Lokeris explained that President Museveni initiated the skilling program with a main focus of fighting poverty among the Ugandan youth.
The Minister also hailed what he termed as visionary and strategic initiative of His Excellency the President to skill the uneducated youth which he said has done a lot in increasing the number of skilled workforces in Karamoja and across the country.
The State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye congratulated the graduands upon achieving the milestone.
She thanked the Ministry of Local Government for providing the Industrial Hub project with land to set up the facility in order to achieve the goals of the program.
The Napak District LCV Chairperson, Mr. John Paul Kodet revealed that when they started the program, the turn up was too low because majority of the would-be beneficiaries feared to join the program due to the insecurity in the area but following the efforts of the UPDF, the region was pacified, and peace was registered thus registering a good number of beneficiaries in the second and third intakes.
The UPDF 3rd Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his guidance and wisdom that enabled him to initiate the skilling program aimed at transforming the youth.
Through their testimonies, several graduates who are now employed expressed gratitude to President Museveni for skilling them with knowledge that has enabled them to earn a living.
