By Eye Media Uganda | Jinja City | October 2, 2026
Iganga District LC V Chairperson Shabiru Isabirye has praised President Yoweri Museveni for establishing the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement at the Busoga Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Jinja City on Friday, Isabirye said political differences should not stop leaders from recognising successful government programmes.
Isabirye, who belongs to the opposition National Unity Platform and chairs the Busoga Zonal Hub, said the initiative was transforming the lives of young people.
“I stood on the NUP ticket, but I was voted by the people, so I give credit where it is due. We have to appreciate President Museveni for this programme that has uplifted our people,” Isabirye said.
“I will continue thanking the President for the development and good stewardship. Mzee has done us well, and my CAO and I are asking for a hub in Iganga,” he added.
He said the programme had given another chance to young people who might otherwise have remained unemployed by equipping them with practical skills for self-employment.
Isabirye cautioned hub managers and leaders against sectarianism and discrimination based on political affiliation. He said teamwork was necessary for Busoga to benefit fully from the programme.
He also raised concern over alleged encroachment on the hub’s land and asked State House Comptroller Jane Barekye to secure a land title and fence the property.
Barekye commended Isabirye for putting the interests of the people ahead of partisan politics, saying government programmes should benefit all Ugandans irrespective of their political affiliation.
She cited the leadership of the Busoga Zonal Hub by an opposition politician as an example of inclusive service delivery.
Barekye also announced plans to establish another Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Bugiri District following a directive from President Museveni.
“If you have land in Bugiri, we are ready to start construction. It is the President who directed that the hub be constructed in Bugiri,” Barekye said.
She, however, expressed concern over alleged interference in the selection of beneficiaries. She said some well-connected individuals were getting admitted at the expense of vulnerable young people targeted by the programme.
Barekye said State House would strengthen verification, including visiting the homes of selected beneficiaries to establish their level of vulnerability before admission.
She also asked local government leaders to monitor graduates who receive start-up capital through hub SACCOs to ensure that the money is properly utilised. She said the government intends to inject additional funds into the SACCOs.
Godfrey Longa, the Coordinator for Eastern and Northern Uganda, urged district selection committees to send suitable young people for training.
He stressed that the hubs are skilling institutions and not rehabilitation centres.
KAYUNGA ENGAGEMENT
A day earlier, State House officials and leaders from districts served by the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub held a separate engagement in Kayunga District.
The Thursday meeting focused on expanding training, creating employment opportunities for graduates, SACCO financing and agricultural production.
Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs at State House, represented Comptroller Jane Barekye.
He said the hubs were established in response to unemployment and the growing dependency burden caused partly by population growth and limited access to formal education and employment.
Kamugisha said the programme admits beneficiaries regardless of their formal education background and equips them with practical skills for self-employment.
The hubs currently offer welding, carpentry and joinery, bakery, tailoring, hairdressing, shoemaking, and building and concrete practice.
Kamugisha said President Museveni had directed the introduction of four additional courses: electrical installation, knitting and weaving, mechanical engineering, and plumbing.
“With all the challenges we have as a country, many can be solved through skilling, and I can tell you that our students are doing very well in the field,” Kamugisha said.
He urged local government leaders to consider qualified hub graduates for suitable contracts. He also challenged graduates to actively lobby district officials for opportunities.
Kamugisha announced that President Museveni had directed the establishment of another hub in Luweero to serve the Greater Luweero sub-region.
Mukono RDC Hajjat Fatuma Ndisaba challenged graduates to become self-driven and utilise the opportunities provided by the government instead of continuously seeking additional facilitation.
“You have been given free education and UGX 50 million for the hub SACCOs, but again you ask for transport to attend SACCO meetings at the district. Those who need the money should be ready to chase for it,” Ndisaba said.
She called for a government directive, implemented through the relevant ministries, to enable qualified hub graduates to access suitable small contracts in their local governments.
Ndisaba said such opportunities would help graduates build their businesses and increase their capital alongside the start-up financing available through the SACCOs.
Charles Karangwa, Vice Chairperson of the Mengo Zonal Hub, commended President Museveni for the initiative, saying it was changing young people’s livelihoods.
“I ask all of us to embrace this initiative because it is a programme that can help in fighting unemployment among the youth,” Karangwa said.
Agnes Kirabo Nantongo, Vice Chairperson of the National Women’s Council and Luweero District Women’s Council Chairperson, also commended the initiative.
She challenged young people to stop complaining and utilise the skills and start-up financing provided to them.
Nantongo offered land she had acquired for a skilling centre to State House for consideration as a site for the planned Luweero hub.
“Director, I have the land and I am donating it to you, but if it is not suitable for State House, then you can look for another one,” Nantongo said.
The engagements in Jinja and Kayunga are part of State House’s efforts to assess the hubs’ performance, address challenges and support graduates to transition into employment, enterprise and wealth creation.
