When Kabarokore Sandra lost her husband in a tragic accident, she was left alone with a child, no job, and no prospects. Having dropped out of school in Senior Three due to lack of school fees, Sandra thought her dreams had come to an end—until she joined the Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub.
Today, Sandra owns a salon in Kibito Central, has bought a plot of land, and pays school fees for her children—all thanks to skills she acquired in hairdressing. “I saved UGX 500,000 and started my salon. I later bought land worth UGX 2 million. Now I can support my family,” she proudly shared.
Like Sandra, Kokugonza Sidon had also dropped out of school in Senior Three and was unemployed. After hearing about the skilling hub from the Kyenjojo RDC, she enrolled in hairdressing. Though her first job paid poorly, Sidon decided to take a bold step—she started her own business. “I planted maize, saved UGX 300,000, and opened a salon. I also rear poultry and pigs. I now save UGX 30,000 every week,” Sidon said.
The Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub, located in Kijwiga village, Katoke Sub-county, Kyenjojo District, was officially commissioned on May 17, 2025, by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni.
President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through practical skills. “This training is vital for import substitution. We now make shoes, beds, and furniture here,” he said. He pledged to expand the hub by increasing student enrollment and introducing new courses, including motor mechanics, plumbing, and weaving.
The President also promised to support SACCOs with startup capital and emphasized free education in UPE and USE schools. “We will not allow illegal charges. Education must be free,” he declared.
Janet Museveni praised the initiative for laying a strong foundation for national transformation. “Skilling the youth is key to shaping Uganda’s future,” she said.
The hub’s impact is evident in stories like those of Sandra and Sidon—once written off by life, now businesswomen rebuilding their lives through skill, determination, and opportunity.
