KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has launched several youth projects in Kampala and Wakiso, which he said are meant to help youth fight unemployment.
The projects include financing Saccos, carpentry workshops, wielding and joinery.
Speaking at the launch of the projects spearheaded by State House comptroller Lucy Nakyobe on Friday, Mr Museveni urged the youth to take advantage of the financial assistance and liberate themselves.
“I urge the youth to acquire skills that will create jobs and stop Ugandans from importing things that can easily be made in the country. Also, support leaders who will ensure your problems are attended to, not those pre-occupied with opposing government programmes,” President Museveni said.
Some of the commissioned facilities are Katabi Artisan SACCO, Namasuba Furniture Makers Sacco, Najja 1 Furniture and Metal Work Association, Kabuusu Wielders & Traders Sacco, Kibuye Drivers’ and Conductors’ SACCO, Lubiri Lorry Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ SACCO, Busega United Timber and Sellers SACCO and Busega Welders’ SACCO.
He said by skilling the youth, Uganda will begin producing many things from within the country and dependence on foreign imports will stop.
“Ugandans spend over Shs18Bn, annually importing all sorts of things and later on cry for jobs yet they are giving away jobs to the people in the countries they are importing from. We even import things like chairs, yet we have the timber here. “When you buy chairs from China, you give money and jobs to the Chinese. We want to stop importing and make all those things from here,” the president said.
Costs of procurement
Ms Nakyobe said the skilling youth programme will continue until the entire country is covered.
“We started with these ones in Kampala and Wakiso. We moved to Entebbe road, Bombo road, Masaka road and Jinja road. We are commissioning these, but we shall, later on, move to other districts,” Ms Nakyobe said
The President also presented cheques of Shs50m to Kibuye Drivers’ and Conductors’ SACCO, Lubiri Lorry Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ SACCO, Busega United Timber and Sellers SACCO, Katabi Artisan SACCO and Busega Welders’ SACCO. He gave Shs30m to Najja2 Sacco.
Ndeeba Mechanics’ and Traders’ SACCO, Ndeeba Machinery and Woodworks’ SACCO, Kabuusu Mechanics and Lorry Drivers, UMEA SACCO each received Shs.100 million.
