By Charlotte Nyebaza Kagumaho,
KAMPALA
Equity Bank Uganda, the Nation Media Group Uganda, and other partners have come together to host a two-day NTV Skills Fest event at Motiv Kampala, Old Portbell Road, from August 16th to 17th. The event is being held under the theme “Explore and Elevate” as part of the ongoing celebration of Youth Week in Uganda and globally.
The NTV SkillsFest aims to address key challenges faced by Ugandan youth, including unemployment and a lack of skills that are in demand in the current job market. The event features interactive workshops and hands-on activities across various skills, exhibitions to showcase products, services, and innovations, a master class for learning new skills in technology, art, crafts, and entrepreneurship, as well as industry expert advisory sessions to help participants explore new ideas, networks, and resources to support their skill development and career paths.
Nelson Mugisha, the Manager of Enterprise Development at Equity Bank Uganda, emphasized the bank’s commitment to empowering the youth through various financing efforts and partnerships with NGOs to enhance service delivery. This is evident in collaborative projects such as Young Africa Works, which has provided financial support to over 36,000 micro-businesses in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Hon. Ismail Mulindwa, the Chief Guest and Commissioner of Basic Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, articulated a strong commitment to education and youth empowerment, stating that this training supports the various programs the ministry oversees to equip the nation’s workforce with the necessary knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Susan Nsibirwa, the Managing Director of Nation Media Group, stressed the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as the role of media in educating and empowering young people in Uganda. She outlined the mission of NTV Uganda to use media platforms to inform youth about skills and opportunities, urging them to explore and elevate their potential.
The two-day NTV SkillsFest is expected to be a valuable platform for Ugandan youth to acquire new skills, network, and discover resources that will help them navigate the ever-changing world and contribute to the country’s development.
