By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Women and youth skilling experts have called on the government to establish more vocational and skills training centres across the country to empower women and the youth to improve their livelihoods.
Sandra Nassali, the Regional Advocacy and Communication Coordinator at the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), emphasized the importance of funding these facilities to empower women and youth in the informal sector to achieve their dreams. She noted that these centers will not only empower women and youth to improve their livelihoods but also help address the alarming unemployment rates in the country.
“Our appeal to government is to put in place these vocational and skills centres at a highly subsidized rates that will empower the young people, women and girls with skills that earn them a livelihood to also thrive and also fulfill their dreams and aspirations like anyone else because it’s their rights,” said Nassali.
She made these remarks during the graduation ceremony of Women Market And Street Vendors (WMVs) on Wednesday, organized by Naguru Acholi Women Vendors’ Cooperative one of the SIHA’s supported cooperatives to in Kampala. A total of 25 women and young girls graduated with skills in crafts such as shoemaking, basket weaving, and leather bag production.
Nassali also urged Ugandans to demand that the government prioritize vocational studies for youth skilling, noting that this is a government responsibility.
“When the government offers incentives and loans, they often target large-scale industries, which contribute only 30% to the country’s GDP. This is unfair because small-scale industries, which contribute 70% are left out,” she added.
Graduates highlighted challenges such as inadequate modern machines and and limited market access for their products. They appealed to the government to create markets for locally made products and provide funding to support their ventures.
Speaking at the ceremony, Paul Mugambe, the Mayor of Nakawa Division, urged the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to allow the newly trained vendors to operate without interference.
“These graduates are just starting, they are crawling, KCCA should not come for them. It’s like washing and drying the clothes in the soil,” Mayor Mugambe said, calling on KCCA to give the graduates a one year special consideration before taxation.
According to Mugambe, the levying taxes and using excessive force against these vendors by KCCA law enforcement team frustrates women enterprises.
SIHA’s Regional Director, Hala Al-Karib, revealed plans to establish a first women’s technical institute in Kampala. She commended the Naguru community women for their active participation in SIHA’s projects.
Graduate Reactions
Florence Achiro, a street vendor, LC3 Councilor for Naguru II Parish, and Chairperson of the Naguru Acholi Women Vendors’ Cooperative, called on the government to include vendors in programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, UWEP, and GROW funds. She said SIHA initiatives like leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and Skilling programs have contributed to raising women’s voice in Naguru and neighbouring communities, pledging their commitment to make Naguru a better place for others to live in.
“People used to undermine me, saying a vendor cannot achieve anything, but here I am, a graduate. We have made Naguru shine, and we will continue working to make it a wonderful place,” Achiro said.
Other attendees, including men requested SIHA and its partners to include men and youth in future vocational training programs, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in skilling initiatives.
