When Masika Shawin Plikeria completed Senior Six, she believed her education journey had ended. For two years, she remained at home in Kasese District, unable to raise school fees for further studies. But a chance encounter with a well-wisher changed the course of her life.
“I was told that at this school, you don’t pay anything,” she said, recalling the day she learned about the Mubuku-based Rwenzori Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub.
Masika enrolled in a six-month bakery course at the hub. The experience not only equipped her with practical skills but also reignited her confidence. “That mindset shift made me who I am today,” she said. “I can now speak to clients with confidence. I was even elected Guild President at my university.”
After her training, Masika briefly worked in a hotel before deciding to start her own baking business. With just Shs150,000 from her mother, she began baking snacks and cakes from home. The hub later allowed her to use their bakery facilities to grow her business.
“From that opportunity, I made a profit of Shs300,000. I kept advertising, and one day a client ordered a cake for a giveaway ceremony. I hired equipment and used what I had to make the cake. I made a profit of Shs400,000,” she said.
Masika receives wedding cake orders at least twice a month and earns up to Shs230,000 on a good day. She saves 40% of her earnings, which she uses to pay for her university tuition, rent, and to support her mother. She is now pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.
Masika’s story was one of many shared at the official launch of the Rwenzori Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Mubuku Town Council, Kasese District.
President Museveni emphasized that the skilling hubs are part of the National Resistance Movement's mission to empower Ugandans through practical knowledge.
“The NRM’s work is to okukyenuura—to lift people out of poverty. This hub is here to give knowledge. That’s another form of okukyenuura,” said the President.
He explained that the hubs are fully residential, offering accommodation, meals, and healthcare to learners—making them more comprehensive than traditional education programs like UPE and USE.
“We are serious about giving them a future,” he stated.
To support graduates, President Museveni announced that government would channel funding through district-based SACCOs to ease access to startup capital.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, praised the initiative as a powerful tool for restoring lost hope among the youth.
“The testimonies we are getting here are a true reflection that when you have a leader who is intentional and visionary, he can restore hope to those who had lost it,” said Tayebwa.
Another success story came from Thembo Rabson Kainji, who discovered the skilling hub during his father's burial. Inspired by a speech from the area chairman, he registered with help from the local Community Development Officer and enrolled in carpentry.
After completing the course, Thembo’s skills earned recognition in the community. “They appreciated my work and asked if I could train others,” he said. With fellow graduates, he started a carpentry workshop that is now thriving and serves as a local example of what vocational training can achieve.
Kasese Resident District Commissioner, Lt. Joe Walusimbi, described the hub as “a fountain of opportunity.” He said 897 youth have so far benefited from the program, including 378 females and 519 males.
“The hub has created more than 37 employment opportunities, from the manager, assistant manager, and instructors, all drawn from the Rwenzori sub-region,” he said.
Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, and State House Comptroller Jane Barekye also attended the event, alongside local leaders and community members.
As Masika’s story continues to unfold, she is no longer just a beneficiary—she is a beacon of what is possible when opportunity meets determination.
