Kyabazinga Champions Youth Skilling and Empowerment in Busoga

The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, has announced that the Gabula Royal Foundation will continue to support the government in equipping youth with essential skills to enhance the quality of their labor force.

He made this announcement while presiding over the graduation ceremony of the Gabula Royal Foundation, where 14,000 women and young people successfully completed training in various vocational skills. This marked the third graduation ceremony organized by the Gabula Royal Foundation as part of its Kisoboka skilling Busoga project, held at the Kyabazinga’s Budhumbula Palace in Kamuli district.

On the same day, the Kyabazinga celebrated his 23rd Gabula Day as the Gabula of Bugabula, Budiope, and Buzaaya Chiefdom, one of the 11 chiefdoms within the Busoga Kingdom.

The monarch, impressed by the large number of graduating youth, emphasized the importance of youth skilling in achieving socio-economic transformation goals. He highlighted that skilling empowers youth with essential skills and opens doors to meaningful employment opportunities.

He also expressed gratitude to the Princes, Princesses, clan heads, religious leaders, elders’ council, security personnel, and media, among others, for their unwavering dedication to advancing Busoga’s interests through unity. He encouraged his subjects to maintain this spirit for the betterment of Busoga.

The Kyabazinga extended his thanks to the Directorate of Industrial Training for injecting over 7 million Ugandan shillings into the skilling program, which contributed to its success. Additionally, he urged the graduates to pass on their acquired skills to other youth in their respective chiefdoms to create job opportunities and enhance income levels.

In his words, “I thank God for giving us the gift of life and enabling us to successfully address some of our challenges,” said the Kyabazinga.

Owek. Al-Haj Osman Ahmed Noor, the second deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, remarked that in a country where 75% of the population is under 30 years old, it is crucial for kingdoms like Busoga to equip its youth with practical skills that enable them to contribute effectively to the economy. He commended the Kyabazinga for establishing the Gabula Royal Foundation and initiating the Busoga skilling project to empower out-of-school youth and teenage mothers with employable skills.

Isaac Imaka, the CEO of Gabula Royal Foundation, expressed his gratitude to the Kyabazinga for entrusting him with the opportunity to lead the foundation. He noted that 14,000 young men and women had been retooled and trained in various vocational skills. So far, 22,000 young people have benefited from the program, with a goal of reaching 50,000 over five years, positively impacting lives and families.

Sulait Kyepa, the program manager of the Kisoboka skilling Busoga project, appreciated the Directorate of Industrial Training for their support. He requested the DIT to consider allowing some skilled young people to continue their studies at level two in various courses as they seek to further upgrade their skills.

Kyepa also noted that the program has benefited chiefdoms such as Bukooli, Bunha, Bunhole, Bunanhumba, Bugweri, Busiki, Bukono, and Butembe. Learners have been trained in various skills, including tailoring, carpentry, construction, knitting, hairdressing, motorbike repair, smart agriculture, car repair, entrepreneurial skills, phone repair, and computer skills.

The first deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, generously donated 100 sewing machines to support the foundation in training more young people at various skilling hubs that will be established in different chiefdoms.

Among those present at the ceremony were Royal Chiefs from various Chiefdoms of Busoga, led by Issabalangira Prince Samuel Zirabamuzale Nkuutu, who also serves as the Menhya of Bugweri. Other attendees included Busoga Kingdom Ministers, Members of Parliament, Uganda Road Fund Executive Director Dr. Eng. Andrew Naimanye, Miss Tourism Busoga 2023/2024 Mercy Tenywa, and other queens, as well as parents of the graduates.

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