PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES SOROTI INDUSTRIAL PRESIDENTIAL SKILLING HUB TO EMPOWER UGANDA’S YOUTH

By Abraham Ekwaru, Communications Officer.

President Yoweri Museveni has officially launched the Soroti Industrial Presidential Skilling Hub, a pioneering initiative aimed at equipping young Ugandans, particularly those from the Teso region, with practical vocational training to tackle youth unemployment and stimulate local economic growth.

The Hub, which currently serves 240 students from diverse academic backgrounds, is designed to address the growing demand for skilled labor in the country’s job market. The facility offers training in a wide range of technical fields, including welding, metal fabrication, industrial art and design, hairdressing, cosmetology, carpentry, and bricklaying. By offering these hands-on skills, the Hub is directly aligned with Uganda’s broader economic goals of reducing dependence on traditional academic qualifications and fostering self-reliance among the youth.

The commissioning ceremony, held on Tuesday morning at the Hub’s location in Arapai, Soroti, was a significant milestone in President Museveni’s ongoing efforts to transform Uganda’s economy through practical education. During his visit, the President toured several training facilities and observed firsthand the work of students who have already completed courses in tailoring, welding, and carpentry. He expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments and reiterated the need for continued investment in vocational skills development.

“This is the right direction for Uganda,” President Museveni said, emphasizing that training the youth in practical skills relevant to the local economy is essential for addressing unemployment and fostering economic independence. He also pledged further government support to expand and enhance the initiative, ensuring that the skills gained at the Hub can contribute to the growth of both rural and urban industries.

The Soroti Industrial Hub is not only a training center but also a catalyst for economic transformation in the Teso Subregion. With a focus on industrialization and local enterprise development, the Hub seeks to provide young Ugandans with the skills necessary to participate in and drive economic growth in their communities.

The launch ceremony was attended by several high-profile government officials, including Vice President Jesca Alupo and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among, underscoring the strategic importance of the initiative. Their presence highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting programs that foster sustainable development and create meaningful opportunities for the youth.

The opening of the Soroti Industrial Hub is part of a wider government strategy to combat youth unemployment through vocational education and skills-based training. With Uganda’s youth accounting for a significant portion of the population, President Museveni has long advocated for a shift away from purely academic pathways toward practical education that prepares young people for the demands of a rapidly changing job market.

Following the event, President Museveni is scheduled to meet with local leaders and technical staff from across the Teso Subregion at the Kumi Boma Grounds. The meeting will focus on strategies for wealth creation and socio-economic transformation, with an emphasis on how the skills developed at centers like the Soroti Industrial Hub can be leveraged for regional development.

The Soroti Industrial Hub is just one example of the government’s ongoing efforts to provide vocational training to young Ugandans. In the coming months, the government plans to expand the initiative to other regions, furthering access to vocational education and preparing Uganda’s youth for the workforce of the future.

Ultimately, the initiative aims to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among young Ugandans, enabling them not only to secure employment but also to create new industries and opportunities that will drive national development. Through initiatives like the Soroti Industrial Hub, the government is laying the foundation for a future in which Uganda’s youth are not only the workforce of tomorrow but the job creators of today.

The launch of the Soroti Industrial Hub is also aligned with Uganda’s broader development goals, including poverty reduction, industrialization, and the creation of sustainable jobs. As part of the President’s vision, it underscores the importance of equipping young people with the practical skills they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.