Kyenjojo, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, have officially commissioned the Tooro Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Kijwiga village, Katoke Sub-county, Mwenge Central, Kyenjojo District.
The hub, part of the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child, is designed to empower young Ugandans with hands-on vocational skills and reduce youth unemployment, a challenge the President described as a national priority.
“Maama Janet and I were happy to launch the Presidential Skilling Hub in Kyenjojo District today. As I emphasized during my Rwenzori tour, people should listen to the NRM because it knows what it’s doing and what it’s talking about. We cannot do everything at once, so we must prioritize and skilling our youth is at the top of that list,” President Museveni said via his X.
Speaking at the commissioning, Mr. Museveni reflected on Africa’s historical setbacks, which he attributed largely to a lack of practical skills among its people.
“These skilling hubs are part of a broader strategy to awaken Ugandans to the reality that wealth and progress stem from human productivity—not just words or entertainment,” he noted.
“We used to import chairs and other products from India and Dubai, and shoes from Italy. But now, our youth in this Mwenge hub are producing them right here,” the 80-year-old man from Rwakitura added.
The President further warned against what he termed as “okweragiira” in Runyankore and “okwetuminkiriza” in Luganda, terms used to describe the tendency of implementing personal or divergent agendas contrary to established government priorities.
“This practice has derailed many good policies. Skilling hubs are designed to correct such mistakes and guide youth toward productive work.”
The President reaffirmed his support for the initiative, citing it as key to import substitution and job creation.
He pledged to expand the Kyenjojo facility by increasing student enrollment and introducing additional vocational courses, including motor mechanics, weaving, knitting, plumbing, and a model demonstration farm.
However, he noted that the expansion would be contingent upon the construction of proper student accommodation facilities.
Focus on Household Wealth
Later in the day, President Museveni addressed leaders from Tooro sub-region at a separate engagement in Kyegegwa District. He urged them to prioritize household wealth creation over secondary issues if the country is to sustainably eradicate poverty.
“While infrastructure development is important, the transformation of livelihoods begins with boosting household incomes,” he said.
He added that all leaders should emphasise wealth creation because it is the only strategy that reaches every home.
The President credited peace and stability, achieved through the NRM’s liberation efforts, as the foundation on which sustainable development must be built.
“We, the freedom fighters, brought peace. Even if there are infrastructure issues, peace is already established,” he said. “Now, we must focus on lifting household incomes. That’s what I did in the cattle corridor, and it worked.”
President Museveni is expected to further elaborate on this message during a public rally scheduled for tomorrow in the region.
The Tooro Zonal hub is one of several across the country, aimed at bridging the skills gap among youth and enhancing local production capacity for national development.
