State House officials led by Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, have met and held discussions with beneficiaries of the Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, SACCO leaders, and district leaders from Greater Masaka, Mubende, and Mukono at the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Kayunga District.
The deliberations focused on training the beneficiaries on how best they can utilise the Shs8.8 billion that President Museveni recently injected into various district SACCOs.
The aim is to support beneficiaries of the hubs to start small enterprises after completing their six-months skills training.
Representing Ms. Jane Barekye, the State House Comptroller, Eng. Kamugisha revealed that each SACCO under the various industrial skilling hubs received Shs50 million, and beneficiaries will borrow funds from their respective SACCOs to start income-generating projects.
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"This is an announcement to all the students who trained from these hubs: you are going to get cash. The President has already disbursed Shs8.8 billion for you," Eng. Kamugisha said.
He noted that 19 hubs across the country, covering 176 administrative units -- including districts, cities, and municipalities -- are all beneficiaries.
Eng. Kamugisha assured trainees that if capital had been their only challenge, the President has now addressed it. However, he cautioned against misuse of the funds.
"Every qualified beneficiary will receive their share after the ongoing training across all industrial hubs is complete. Your share will be deposited in your Wendi account in Post Bank," he said.
Referring to the president's vision as outlined in his manifesto, Eng. Kamugisha noted that the establishment of a university for TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) is part of the plan for skilling hub students, aimed at enhancing practical education and innovation.
"We can use this small money and become very powerful. The President wants you to use your skills to empower yourselves. That's why he wants to put a university for skilling," Eng. Kamugisha told the trainees.
He added that those trained in welding and simpler courses would each receive Shs1.5 million as a loan while those in advanced courses like shoe-making, which require machinery, would be supported in pairs to increase chances of success.
The Director assured trainees that the initiative will continue beyond the current phase, with government monitoring SACCOs to ensure accountability and sustainability.
"After phase one, we shall level to phase two. We shall monitor and see who is performing well, and we shall add them more money," he said.
He also called on trainees to ensure they have national identity cards registered in their names, as these will be a requirement to access loans.
"Those without national identity cards should register. I will go to the office of the Executive Director of NIRA to help those without identity cards get them," Eng. Kamugisha asserted.
Financial Discipline and Accountability
Mr. Joseph Lutalo, Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, emphasized the importance of proper management and accountability among the SACCOs and beneficiaries.
"This money is not a reward that you studied from here, but a chance. Since the interest rate is very low, save as soon as you get the money so that you have what to pay back after the one-year grace period," Mr. Lutalo advised.
Mr. Golooba Lwanga, Manager of Financial Inclusion from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, urged transparency and discipline in managing the SACCO loans.
"The President has entrusted you with these funds to uplift yourselves. It's your duty to handle this money with seriousness and honesty. You are not paying anything to get this loan, but if you fail to pay it back and all recovery efforts fail, you will be liable to facing the law," he warned.
Mr. Golooba explained that the ongoing training is aimed at equipping SACCO leaders and beneficiaries with financial management skills to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Loans will be financed up to amounts approved by the SACCO boards, depending on the nature of the trade and available funds. The maximum amount per borrower is Shs1.5 million, with an annual interest rate of 6%.
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Testimonies were heard from former students who have successfully transitioned into self-employment:
Isaac Sebalamu a welder in Munyonyo, praised the initiative for changing his life.
"I want to thank President Museveni for giving us the skilling opportunity. We were recruited on merit and trained for six months without paying anything. I'm now able to get money and employ other youth," he said.
Brian Akankwasa, the former Guild President of the Mengo Zonal Industrial Presidential Skilling Hub, also expressed his gratitude.
"I was a senior six dropout without any hopes of ever going back to school, but my aunt informed me of the skilling hubs. I applied and got a chance. I graduated in welding and I now have my own business, employing two people and making profits of Shs20,000 per day," he shared.
