By Eye Media | Napak | July 22, 2026
The State House has announced plans to establish a second Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in the Karamoja sub-region following the success of the existing facility in Napak District, which has equipped hundreds of young people with vocational skills and transformed their livelihoods.
The announcement was made by the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Karamoja Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub attended by State House Comptroller Jane Barekye and leaders from across the sub-region.
Kamugisha said preparations for the new hub will begin in the next financial year to accommodate the growing number of youths seeking vocational training.
“We are planning another industrial hub in Karamoja and will also introduce more vocational courses in line with President Museveni’s directive to expand training opportunities,” he said.
The impact of the programme was evident in the story of 27-year-old Opio Denis from Abim District, who was born with only one functional hand and had never attended school or acquired any vocational skills.
After joining the Napak hub three months ago, Opio has mastered leather tanning and design, producing shoes, school bags, wallets and other leather products despite his disability.
His progress impressed State House Comptroller Jane Barekye during her inspection of the facility.
Caroline Inyakoit, the Head of the Leather Tanning and Design Department, described Opio as one of the institution’s best-performing trainees.
“He can now make all these products you see here. He is among the best students we have despite his physical disability. His future is bright,” she said.
Barekye’s visit brought together Resident District Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officers, Community Development Officers, District Internal Security Officers, district chairpersons, mayors, youth leaders, NRM officials, SACCO leaders and beneficiaries from Moroto, Kotido, Napak, Abim, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Karenga and Kabong districts.
She directed district leaders to elect one representative from each district to form a regional committee that will oversee the affairs of the Karamoja Industrial Hub after the current leadership’s term expires.
Barekye also announced the appointment of Lorot John Bosco Kapel as the regional SACCO manager to supervise the utilisation of the Shs50 million revolving fund allocated by President Yoweri Museveni to each graduates’ SACCO.
“This officer will move across the districts supervising our SACCOs because we want this money to work. We do not want the President’s money to disappear,” she said.
She warned district leaders against forcing unwilling youths to enrol for vocational training.
“Stop abducting people to come for training. Let them join willingly after understanding the opportunities available. Selection must follow the established guidelines,” Barekye said.
She further appealed to local governments to prioritise graduates of the industrial hubs when awarding supply contracts.
“These youths borrow money to buy equipment but remain idle because they have no markets. Give them tenders to supply school uniforms, furniture, beds and other products so they can repay their loans and grow their businesses,” she said.
Beneficiaries shared testimonies of how the programme had changed their lives.
Peter Chilla from Kotido District said he invested in construction tools before expanding into produce trading, while Angela Martin from Moroto acquired welding equipment and now trains fellow youths through a local NGO from her home.
Leaders also called for another industrial hub to serve northern Karamoja.
Kotido Municipality Mayor Peter Abrahams admitted he had initially opposed the programme but changed his position after witnessing its impact.
“I was one of those who did not support this project at first, but today I can genuinely confirm that it is a game changer for Karamoja. Many youths have acquired skills, secured jobs and others have started their own businesses,” he said.
Abrahams revealed that Kotido Municipality has already secured about 70 acres of land and offered it to State House for the proposed second hub.
Napak District Chairperson and Chairperson of the Karamoja Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub Board, John Paul Kodet Ditecks, commended President Museveni for introducing a programme that has created employment opportunities for young people and called for additional courses, including plumbing.
Kamugisha said government remains committed to strengthening the Presidential Industrial Hubs programme by expanding vocational training, value addition and production facilities while ensuring proper utilisation of the Shs50 million SACCO funds.
The Presidential Industrial Hubs initiative was introduced by President Museveni to equip unemployed youths with practical skills, promote self-employment and accelerate industrialisation across the country.
