The government has intensified efforts to empower youth trained under the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs by training them in financial management and accountability to ensure proper use of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Shs8.8 billion empowerment fund.
During a meeting held at the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Kayunga District, State House officials led by Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, met with beneficiaries, SACCO leaders, and district representatives from Greater Masaka, Mubende, and Mukono to discuss strategies for managing the funds effectively.
Eng. Kamugisha revealed that each SACCO under the 19 skilling hubs across the country has received Shs50 million, which beneficiaries can access as startup capital for income-generating ventures after completing their six-month training.
“This is an announcement to all the students who trained from these hubs; you are going to get cash. The President has already disbursed Shs8.8 billion for you,” he said. “If capital has been your only challenge, the President has now addressed the issue.”
He explained that every qualified beneficiary will receive their share through Post Bank Wendi accounts after completing their training. Those trained in simpler trades such as welding will receive Shs1.5 million, while those in advanced trades like shoe-making will be supported in pairs to acquire essential equipment and jointly run businesses.
Eng. Kamugisha emphasized that the funds are part of the President’s broader vision to empower youth with practical skills and support them in building sustainable enterprises.
“We can use this small money and become very powerful. The President wants you to use your skills to empower yourselves,” he said, adding that plans are underway to establish a university for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to enhance innovation and practical learning.
The official cautioned beneficiaries against mismanaging the funds and urged them to acquire national identity cards, which will be mandatory for accessing loans. He also announced that a second phase of the initiative will reward well-performing beneficiaries with additional support.
“After phase one, we shall move to phase two. We shall monitor and see who is performing well and add them more money,” he noted.
Officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development echoed the call for transparency and responsibility in managing the funds.
Joseph Lutalo, Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives, urged beneficiaries to save and ensure timely repayments.
“This money is not a reward but a chance. Save as soon as you get the money so that you can pay back after the one-year grace period,” he said.
Golooba Lwanga, Manager of Financial Inclusion at the Ministry of Finance, warned against misuse of the loans.
“The President has entrusted you with these funds to uplift yourselves. Handle this money with seriousness and honesty. If you fail to pay it back and all recovery efforts fail, you will face the law,” he warned.
The loans carry a 6 percent annual interest rate, with approval depending on the nature of the trade and available funds.
Several beneficiaries shared success stories of how the skilling program transformed their lives. Sebalamu Isaac, a former trainee in welding, now owns a workshop in Munyonyo employing other youth.
“I thank President Museveni for giving us the skilling opportunity. We were trained for six months without paying anything, and I’m now able to make money and employ others,” he said.
Similarly, Akankwasa Brian Bruno, former Guild President of the Mengo Zonal Hub, said he turned his welding skills into a profitable business after dropping out of school.
“I was a Senior Six dropout without hope, but after the training, I now employ two people and make Shs20,000 a day,” he said.
The training sessions across the hubs continue to build a generation of youth equipped not only with hands-on skills but also with the financial discipline to manage their ventures sustainably.
