Acholi sub-region leaders have been strongly urged to take keen interest and support and the Zonal Industrial Hub in their area that will positively impact on the lives of the people in the region particularly the youths. This was the appeal of the State House Comptroller, Madam Jane Barekye, while meeting the leaders during her countrywide tour of the Industrial Hubs.
“Interest yourselves very much in the project. We are calling you on board to be part of the program,” Madam Barekye told the leaders.
She narrated to the leaders the genesis of the program, explaining that President Museveni, during the campaigns, realised that so many youths were unemployed and very vulnerable.
“So, in his wisdom, he decided to design a program that would help the youths generate money and be part of the money economy”.
She said the Presidential Initiative on Skilling Boys and Girls was, therefore, established resulting in the creation of Industrial Hubs where the young people will gain skills in shoe making, carpentry, tailoring, knitting and weaving, baking, masonry, brick laying, plumbing and electronics.
The leaders were taken on a guided tour of the facility that sits on a 20-acre piece of land by the Hub manager, Mr. Jimmy Odong Lawrence, who showed them some of the equipment already in the workshops and the store.
Madam Barekye further explained that other programs are available that will enable farmers add value to their produce like the milling of maize and the processing of coffee among others.
“We also have programs that will enable farmers add value to their produce like maize milling depending on what is majorly produced in each region,” she said.
She also said common user machines will also be available for use among the population.
She explained that maize farmers can process their maize sell the product and as well get animal and chicken feeds. She added that even metal fabricators will be able to use the machinery at the Hub free of charge.
The Comptroller further told the leadership of Acholi sub-region that a 4-acre model farm will be established and crops that do very well in the region will be grown for farmers to learn how to utilize a small piece of land by practicing intensive modern and calculated agriculture for wealth creation.
She revealed that 300 learners will be trained every six months. There will be two semesters in each year. Graduands will walk away with certificates to prove their competencies.
“If well captured, the project will benefit our youths,” she noted.
She, however, emphasized the need for leaders to select well behaved, willing, committed and interested youths for the training.
“That is an assignment for you to handle. I am glad to see that you have come in big numbers. That means that our cause is going to be very productive,” she observed.
The Director of Industrial Hubs and Presidential Projects at State House, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha urged the leaders to support and take the project seriously.
He likened it to the raising of a child in an African society where all the community is responsible for the nurturing the child.
“This is a call for all of us to collectively raise our children”.
He added that among other components that will be taught at the Hub is Patriotism. He warned against corruption in implementation of the program, adding that it is entirely free of charge to beneficiaries.
He called on leaders to popularize the project.
The representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Emmanuel Muhanguzi, thanked President Museveni for the project and assured Madam Barekye of total support by the Ministry.
The representative of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Gulu district, Hon. Odwar Santa, appreciated President Museveni and the Government for the establishment of the Hub.
The LC 5 Chairman, Gulu district, Mr. Christopher Opiyo Ateker thanked the NRM government for maintaining peace and development in the region.
“When you see this facility, it means a lot,” he noted.
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