SKILLS MEET SPORTS AT PRESIDENTIAL SKILLING INITIATIVE SHOWCASE EVENT

More than 5,000 students from the seventh cohort have completed six
months of free vocational training under the Presidential Initiative on
Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC).

On Wednesday 1 st July 2026, the trainees showcased a wide range of
products and services during the final exhibition held at the Makerere
University Rugby Grounds under the theme, “Skilling, Socialising and
Showcasing.”

Minister of State, Office of the President (Economic Monitoring) Hon. Alum Sandra Santa, the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/Boy Child (PISGBC) Dr. Faith Katana Mirembe, Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) Brig. Gen. Henry Rusoke and guests admire the works and hands on skills the students have acquired during the PISGBC show casing and sports day event that took place at the Makerere University Rugby grounds in Kampala on the 1st June 2026. Photo by PPU/Tony Rujuta.

The event was officiated by the Minister of State for Economic
Monitoring in the Office of the President, Hon. Santa Sandra Alum
Ogwang, who represented the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye
Milly Babalanda.

The exhibition brought together trainees from the PISGBC centres
across Kampala, including Mulago, Subway, Kikoni, Namuwongo,
Mutundwe, Nankulabye, Kigowa and Wandegeya.

The trainees displayed products made through vocational training in
tailoring and garment design, carpentry and joinery, welding and metal
fabrication, hairdressing and weaving, bakery and confectionery,
shoemaking and leather works, construction, embroidery, plumbing,
electrical installation, electronics and phone repair, mechanics, and tyre
recycling.

The event also featured a sports gala in which trainees from the Subway
Skilling centre emerged champions in football, while the Kigowa Skilling

centre won the netball competition. The winning teams were awarded
trophies.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Ogwang
commended the Presidential skilling initiative for equipping young people
with practical skills that enable them to create jobs, earn incomes and
contribute to national development.

“Today’s exhibition is more than just a display of products and talents. It
is a demonstration of what can be achieved when our youth are
empowered with practical skills, discipline and the confidence to create
opportunities for themselves,” she said.

Hon. Ogwang urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the skills they
had acquired by embracing entrepreneurship, maintaining discipline and
producing quality goods and services capable of competing in local and
regional markets.

“As Uganda advances towards attaining higher middle-income status
under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and Vision 2040,
skills development remains at the centre of our transformation agenda,”
she said.

The Minister added that a modern economy requires a workforce
capable of innovating, producing, adding value and creating jobs.
“Every skill acquired is an investment in national productivity, household
incomes and sustainable wealth creation,” she noted.

Hon. Ogwang also commended President Yoweri Museveni for
championing wealth creation and human capital development.
“I wish to pay special tribute to His Excellency President Museveni for
his visionary leadership in championing wealth creation and human

capital development. Beyond increasing investment and emphasis on
vocational and technical education within our school system, the
President further expanded his vision by establishing the Presidential
Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child.”

She noted that through the initiative, thousands of young Ugandans,
particularly those who may not have had the opportunity to pursue
formal education, are acquiring marketable skills that enable them to
become self-reliant, employers and contributors to national
development.

In her concluding remarks, she congratulated the trainees upon
successfully completing the six-month programme before awarding them
certificates.

“To our trainees, I congratulate you on successfully completing the six
months of training. Let today's exhibition be only the beginning of your
journey. Continue to sharpen your skills, embrace innovation, uphold
discipline and use the knowledge you have acquired to create wealth for
yourselves, your families and your communities,” she said.

During the same event, Dr. Faith Mirembe Katana, the Special
Presidential Assistant on Skilling and Education and Head of PISGBC,
said the initiative has transformed the lives of many young people from
Kampala's informal settlements who were previously involved in
substance abuse and crime.

“Industrialists are establishing industries, and we need skilled people to
work in them. We don't need English to make a product. The President
established these centres to help those who cannot afford formal
education. We also have a team of doctors who help change the
trainees' mindset, and this has greatly benefited them,” Dr. Katana said.

She added that trainees were awarded certificates that will enhance their
chances of securing employment and establishing their own businesses.
Trainees Share Success Stories:

Participants expressed appreciation to the government for providing free
vocational training, saying the programme had transformed their lives by
improving their employability and enabling many to establish their own
businesses.

Namirembe Monica, an embroidery trainee from the Mulago Skilling
centre, said the programme had equipped her with valuable skills and
thanked President Museveni for providing the opportunity.

“I have learnt a lot. By the time we begin making our products, we
already have a ready market. In most cases, our products are booked
even before they are completed,” she said.

She added: “I thank President Museveni for this initiative because I had
dropped out of school due to lack of school fees, but I can now earn an
income from the skills I have acquired.”

Nagayi Patience, from the Mutundwe Skilling centre, said the
programme had opened up numerous opportunities for her.
After training in shoemaking, she now works from home and earns a
profit of about Shs50,000 per day.

She also commended President Museveni for giving hope to young
people who had dropped out of school.
Another inspiring testimony came from Daniel Maleesh Allan Ben, who
studied hairdressing at the Mulago Skilling centre.

“I can now earn my own income. This has helped me become a job
creator, and I thank President Museveni because, without this initiative, I
would be nowhere,” he said.

Dr. Bikumbi Grace, a clinical psychologist and addiction specialist, said
crime levels had reduced as many former offenders had joined the
skilling centres and were now productively engaged after acquiring
vocational skills.

Dr. Bikumbi added that through mindset change and rehabilitation
programmes, many vulnerable youth had become responsible and
hardworking citizens.

“The programme has enabled unemployed young people to acquire
additional skills and develop their talents.”

The showcase event also provided an opportunity for members of the
public and potential buyers to interact with trainees, view their products
and appreciate the impact of the Presidential Skilling initiative in
addressing youth unemployment.

The PISGBC programme forms part of the government's broader efforts
to equip young people with practical vocational skills, promote self-
employment and improve household incomes in the country.