Rosemary Nansubuga Seninde has urged youth and parents in Kampala to appreciate President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s efforts in skilling ghetto youth. She praised the initiative for providing practical skills to young people and addressing unemployment.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Director for Mobilisation, Cadre Identification, Recruitment, and Placement was speaking at Mulago Skilling Centre on March 3, 2025, during a showcase of students’ projects, Hon. Seninde encouraged Kampala residents to support President Museveni and the NRM in the 2026 elections.
“Kampala residents should be wise and vote for NRM and President Museveni in 2026,” she said. “We should be grateful for his efforts in skilling the youth of this nation.”
Transforming Lives Through Skilling
The Mulago Skilling Centre is part of the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/Boy Child (PISGBC), a State House-funded project operating across Kampala’s five divisions. Seninde commended the program, noting that it equips young people with hands-on skills to become self-reliant.
“I thank President Museveni. He has been a gift to us, giving us peace, freedom of choice, and a solution to unemployment,” she said.
She also used the platform to rally support for Faridah Nambi, the NRM flag bearer for Kawempe North Parliamentary seat, urging attendees to mobilize at least 20 voters each.
“This is a mock election for President Museveni in the Buganda region and will prove your loyalty to him and the NRM party ahead of 2026,” she emphasized.
Empowering Youth to Compete Globally
Dr. Faith Mirembe Katana, the Special Presidential Assistant on Skilling and Education and Head of the PISGBC project, called on Ugandans to leverage the country’s large population as a market for locally made products. She urged them to focus on exporting high-quality goods instead of relying on imports.
She praised President Museveni and State House Comptroller Jane Barekye for their support in ensuring the project receives adequate materials and funding. However, she raised concerns about local council (LC) leaders endorsing non-residents over genuine applicants for skilling opportunities.
“LCS should prioritize residents in these areas. This practice of endorsing outsiders is not proper,” she cautioned.
Dr. Katana revealed that Mulago Skilling Centre is the largest of the nine skilling centers, with 783 students preparing for exams in March 2025. Initially, 890 students had enrolled for the semester, which began in August 2024.
Youth Success Stories
The event featured testimonies from students whose lives have transformed through skilling.
Dan Muhire, 32, a Mulago resident studying electronic and phone repair, specializes in satellite dish installation. “Before I joined skilling, I had completed Senior Four but was idle with no hope. Now, I can repair phones and install dishes, earning about Shs 30,000 per job,” he said.
Patricia Sylvia (19) and Prossy Nakuti (20), both specializing in electronics, built a working fridge from plywood, complete with a deep freezer section. “We use unwanted materials. The fridge has cooling tubes made from copper and a compressor that heats gas before sending it to the dryer filter,” Nakuti explained.
The duo said a similar product could cost about Shs 200,000, and they customize it to meet customer preferences.
Martha Atuhaire, 24, an embroidery student and Industrial Fine Art graduate from Makerere University, believes the training is shaping her career. “We make African shirts, bridal gowns (Shs 1 million), changing dresses (Shs 500,000), and duvets (Shs 100,000 - Shs 500,000),” she said. Despite commuting daily from Gayaza Nakwero, she remains committed to learning. However, she cited traffic jams as a challenge, which causes her to arrive 30 minutes late for her 7:00 AM classes.
Innovations and Recycling Efforts
The Mulago Skilling Centre Guild President, Michael Bamwine, showcased a smart electric switch that can be activated by touch or via a phone app.
Norah Namanya, a trainer in Recycling and Value Addition, has earned the nickname "Queen of Tyres" for teaching students how to turn old tyres into valuable products like wall clocks, furniture, and children's seats.
“The main purpose of this skill is to manage inorganic waste, create jobs for ghetto youth, and prevent the destruction of roads when tyres are burned,” she said.
According to Namanya, the 2024/25 intake for recycling skills enrolled 148 students across Mulago, Kikoni, and Wabigalo skilling centers. She noted that recycling has changed community perceptions about waste, with discarded tyres now seen as a valuable resource.
A Future of Skilled and Empowered Youth
The Mulago Skilling Centre event highlighted the success of President Museveni’s skilling initiative, with young Ugandans gaining practical skills and transforming their lives. The program is expected to continue expanding, offering more youth an opportunity to become self-reliant and contribute to Uganda’s economy.
