Ramson

Over 16,000 girls, women and boys have graduated with various programs under the presidential skilling program. These have trained in trades like hairdressing, electric installation and plumbing among others.

The graduates bring the total number of beneficiaries to over 50K in a project that started in 2017 and President Museveni was the chief guest at the graduation ceremony held at Kololo independence grounds. The president noted that such programs from the government can no longer support individuals but rather groups.

The skilled youths, composed of women, boys and girls between the ages of 18 and 35 could not hide their excitement at the achievement and were seen dancing to songs. Some of them praised president Museveni and the NRM government for giving them such an honourable opportunity.

The youths were drawn from the five divisions of Kampala, and trained in up to 14 skills with each program going for about six months after which they were examined and issued the certificate from DIT.

Statehouse controller and head of the program, Jane Barekye told the president that these youths have been skilled to the standards and asked that they be incorporated in several government projects including the standard gauge railway, emmyoga among others.

The program was initiated in 2017 with a focus on girls but boys would later be brought on board in 2019 with the introduction of skills like electrical installation, plumbing among others.

The program targets youths in the ghetto and those on the streets who would have rather been involved in several crimes.

The minister for Kampala hon. Minsa Kabanda says this has seen crime reduce around the city.

President Museveni's solutions to the challenges facing the country, are yet to be found especially those challenges which end up making the country depend on others.

Museveni adds the dependence system is a form of slave trade brought about by colonialism

He now wants all government schools and vocational institutions to take up this kind of skilling at a free cost.

The president had no kind words for schools that have continued to charge school fees even when the government has campaigned for free education for all.

He has now vowed to support each of these graduates with Capital, but through their respective skills and emyooga, contrary to the initial move where everyone would be given capital of one million shillings each. The president says the government can no longer support individuals but rather groups.

In her congratulatory message the first lady, also minister for education Janet Kataha Museveni challenged these youths to front integrity and work on character development which she says will take them places.

She spoke against any forms of programs that are discriminative in nature. Many programs have been introduced with a focus on only girls which the minister for education says is working to the disadvantage of the boy child.

It is five years down the road and the program boosts of over 50,000 beneficiaries. There's a continued outcry to have the program expanded. President Museveni says this cannot be avoided given gaps in the ceramics among others.