Lands Minister, Judith Nabakooba has urged graduates from Uganda Rural Development and Training Institute (URDT-I) in Mityana District to use the different skills and knowledge acquired to train local communities and start up income generating jobs.
Nabakooba who was presiding over the third institution’s graduation ceremony at Ssingo County headquarters in Busimbi Division, Mityana Municipality, on April 29 said youth can only benefit from the skills acquired if they go back to their communities and get something to do.
In the third cohort, 933 students graduated in shoe making, bakery, tailoring, farming, hair dressing, events management and fashion and design. Other courses included agriculture programmes such as piggery, fish farming, poultry, and tree nursery operation among others.
URDT Institute was founded by Dr Mwalimu Musheshe and it operates in 20 districts and four refugee settlements across the country. URDT Institute is partnering with Mastercard Foundation to skill up youth in Mityana and other beneficiary districts.
“You have a got a chance to get these skills when you are still young. Many people did not get that chance. Use this opportunity well to change your lives and those of your communities,” she emphasized.
“The beauty with the certificate you are getting today is that you can use it to upgrade slowly up to PhD level. If you are committed, you can accomplish this journey. Pursue your dreams because you are young and energetic,” Nabakooba added.
The minister also advised graduates to form groups and register Saccos such that she can lobby for them funds from the government.
Students who have since succeeded after taking up this training have strategically changed their lives and they can now live independently.
Oliver Nakitto, a resident of Mityana Municipality, does not regret joining URDT Institute. She was a house wife depending on her husband for survival but now she has a piggery project of more than 40 pigs.
“I learnt how to add value to animal feeds. I make my own organic medicine for pigs and livestock. My family is doing well and in the next few years I am hopeful that I will be a big farmer in Mityana,” she stressed, asking for financial support to expand her project.
Nakitto decried the fluctuating prices of the maize brand that she uses to make her feeds.
Maria Gorreth Nampuuma, who was trained in shoe making, is breaking barriers with her business and currently supplies people in her local community.
She makes all kinds of shoes including crafts, crocheted shoes and school shoes.
“I started the business with only Shs50,000 but it has now grown and very soon I am building a small shop at home where I will be vending those shoes from,” she said.
Male youth applauded URDT and MasterCard Foundation for the opportunity. They said before this opportunity, many of them were lying idle, engaging in unscrupulous activities.
Matia Kabanda, a resident of Busunju, trained in welding and he can now make tents, windows, doors and metallic charcoal stoves.
“Youth in this area were idle since they had dropped out of school. Many were in boda boda riding, stealing and abusing drugs but they have now transformed,” he appreciated.
Dr Musheshe said he founded this institute to help youth, mothers and idle men to acquire skills and create job opportunities.
He asked the government to support the institute with a technological hub in the area that can help in training students.
“We want to move away from using local designs drawn on papers during the tailoring course, to using computers to make up to date designs on the international market.”
Dr Musheshe also asked the government to give these trained youth priority when it comes to government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and Youth Livelihood Program.
He says if they are given this money, they will be able to get startup capital in their respective fields.
