President Yoweri Museveni has inaugurated the Sebei Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Kween District, marking the conclusion of his three-day tour assessing wealth creation and the Parish Development Model in the Sebei sub-region.
The industrial hub, one of 19 across Uganda, is part of the Presidential Initiative on skilling youth. It aims to train over 12,000 young people annually, equipping them with practical skills to enter the money economy and improve their livelihoods.
“This hub is doing a great job in imparting skills. Whether it’s factory work, baking, or ICT, these are all pathways to wealth,” President Museveni said during the launch.
The hub offers vocational training in trades such as welding, tailoring, carpentry, hairdressing, bricklaying, and electrical installation. Graduates receive Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One certificates, which are internationally recognized and equivalent to Uganda’s Certificate of Education.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of skilling youth to enable them to create wealth and support their communities. “We will introduce common user facilities with big machines like cutters to enhance productivity and maximize benefits for all,” he added.
The President also highlighted plans to decentralize Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) to district levels for better accessibility. “We will put money in SACCOs, but they must be closer to the people,” he said, emphasizing the role of financial support in economic transformation.
Education remained a focal point of the President’s message. He reiterated the government’s commitment to free primary and secondary education under Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs.
“Charging school fees in government schools is a crime. It forces children out of school. That’s why we are investing in hubs like this to skill students for free, including providing meals and accommodation,” he explained.
Reflecting on the National Resistance Movement’s vision, President Museveni encouraged Ugandans to embrace commercial agriculture, industries, services, and ICT as pillars of wealth creation. He advised farmers to focus on high-value ventures such as coffee, dairy farming, and fish farming for sustainable income.
Kisos Abdi Fadhil Chemaswet, MP for Soi Constituency, lauded the President for securing peace in Sebei and supporting agricultural initiatives like the Nyenye irrigation scheme. “This hub is a beacon of hope for youth and women, enabling them to learn, grow, and contribute to Uganda’s economy,” he said.
Ms. Justine Yeko, Kapchorwa District Commercial Officer, praised the hub’s impact on socio-economic transformation. Since its inception, it has trained 912 youth and created 37 direct jobs. “This hub empowers our youth with skills to change their lives and build our nation,” she noted.
Ms. Yeko also emphasized the role of parents in supporting the hub’s programs and the value of locally made products through the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) initiative.
Several local leaders noted that the Sebei hub exemplifies the government’s commitment to skilling youth for wealth creation, local development, and economic independence.
