“SAVE MONEY IF YOU WANT TO DEVELOP” - STATE HOUSE COMPTROLLER BAREKYE TO BUGISU YOUTH

 The State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye has advised the youth in

Bugisu Sub-region to learn how to save money if they want to develop

economically. 

“You should save. Parents, please guide these graduates on how to save

because if they don't save, they will not develop. They will not be able to

support their families,” Ms. Barekye said. 

The Comptroller made the remarks on Saturday, 7th January, 2023 during

the graduation ceremony of 215 students at the Bugisu Zonal Industrial

Hub, situated at Lukhonge village, Lukhonge sub county in Mbale district.

She also appreciated President Yoweri Museveni for initiating the skilling

program that aims at curbing unemployment among the youth in the

country. 

“Thank you for accepting to be trained. The skills you have acquired will

help you to comfortably join the money economy. Please go out there and

make our President and Uganda proud,” Ms. Barekye urged, before

handing over Level I Certificates from the Directorate of Industrial Training

(DIT) to graduates who successfully underwent a five months training in

carpentry,  welding, tailoring and hairdressing. 

The Comptroller further tasked Parliament to increase on the funding to

State House so that in future, they are able to provide startup capital to the

successful beneficiaries. 

“Meanwhile we are going to provide an equipped common user facility that

will be used by the youth, free of charge to produce goods that they will

take to the market, sell and make money,” Ms. Barekye said. 

“Put what you have studied into practice and transform your families and

Uganda as a whole. The vision of the President was to ensure that you are

equipped with skills and apply them somewhere to improve your

livelihoods.”

Ms. Barekye also pledged to use part of her salary to give Ms. Irene

Namutosi, a deaf student who emerged as best in the tailoring class startup

capital. Ms. Namutosi, a single mother was also announced as the most

disciplined student during the training. 

The Mbale Woman Member of Parliament,  Hon. Miriam Mukhaye also

lauded President Museveni for skilling the youth through Zonal Industrial

Hubs and promised that as Mbale leaders they will ensure that the initiative

is a success. 

She also requested Ms. Barekye and her team to add on the number of

courses to include catering, civil engineering, agriculture to benefit more

youth who are interested in those specific fields of study. 

Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and

Industrial Hubs at State House appreciated President Museveni for

entrusting him and team with a responsibility to serve Ugandans through

the Zonal Industrial Hub Initiative. 

“I also thank God for letting this program become a success,” Eng.

Kamugisha said. 

He also urged the graduates to always be patient, focused and put their

skills into good use. 

“With that, you will be able to economically transform yourselves, families

and the country at large,” Eng Kamugisha tipped the graduates. 

Mr. Patrick Byakatonda, the Director of DIT informed the graduates that

they have attained level I Certificate which is an equivalent to Senior 4 and

urged them to use the forthcoming State House sponsorship to upgrade to

level II which is equivalent to Senior 6. 

“Your certificates are recognized nationally and international which means

you can get jobs anywhere in Uganda and around the world,” Mr.

Byakatonda said. 

Mr. Philip Woniala, the Manager of Bugisu Zonal Industrial Hub informed

the Comptroller that they recruited 216 students from seven administrative

units that include; Mbale district, Mbale City, Manafwa district, Namisindwa

district, Bududa district, Sironko district and Bulambuli district. However,

one dropped out due to health complications and they were left with 215

beneficiaries (121 males and 94 females).