Dr. Faith Mirembe Katana, the Special Presidential Assistant on Skilling
and Education and Head of Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and
Boy Child (PISGBC) project has advised the youth to utilise online
platforms such as YouTube to boost their knowledge by learning from
constructive content.
“You are very wealthy, your skills are valuable,” she reminded the soon-
to-graduate cohort of 542 students.
She, however, cautioned them to desist from idle online platforms such
as TikTok, where they tend to waste a lot of time and data.
Dr. Katana made the remarks yesterday at the Wabigalo Skilling Centre
in Namuwongo during a showcasing ceremony of the students’ products
after six months of vocational training.
She also revealed that a total of Shs990m was spent by the State House
on instructional materials within a period of two months for all the nine
Presidential Skilling centres within Kampala.
Dr. Katana also disclosed that at least shs200m has been spent on food
(lunch) on a monthly basis for all the centres, while monthly salaries for
instructors and support staff under the initiative amount to shs30m.
“All that comes from the State House budget; we also have another 19
centres spread outside Kampala,” Dr. Katana clarified.
Dr. Katana was responding to naysayers from opposition political parties
who claim that the State House budget is bloated. She dismissed their
claims as baseless and believes they are fueled by ignorance.
To deter cancer-causing utensils, Dr. Katana revealed that pottery is
being introduced in the next intake to enable skilling beneficiaries to tap
into that market for ceramics and pottery products which she said are
much healthier-friendly compared to their plastic counterparts.
Ms. Amina Lukanga, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for
Mbarara, was lauded for propelling the Wabigalo Skilling Centre during
her time in charge.
The centre’s current administrator, Mr. David Nkwanga said the centre
registered 667 students in August last year (2024), but six months later,
125 candidates dropped out before they could register for the
Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) assessment.
The Centre, which offers a variety of practical courses such as
construction, welding, plumbing and leather design, has managed to
retain 542 students who are set to do their DIT exams next week, as a
prerequisite for their graduation and certification. Of these, 49 students
are female.
Other courses offered at the centre include mechanics, electronics
repair, carpentry and electrical installation.
The event was attended by parents and other government officials such
as Dr. Hillary Musoke, a Presidential advisor on agribusiness. It was also
graced by Pastor Wilson Bugembe, a renowned gospel musician and
televangelist who was a former street child.
Pr. Bugembe ministered to the students, who were inspired by his life
story of transformation from rags to riches.
Students speak out on their skilling experiences:
Shivan Namara, an 18-year-old plumbing student, is the minister in
charge of women’s affairs. She completed primary seven (P7) at
Buganda Academy Primary School in 2023 in Entebbe but now resides
with her aunt in Kansanga.
“Since I started the course, I have so far earned sh50,000 which I got
after repairing a tap for a client,” Namara stated.
She said that before joining the skilling course, she was dealing with
serious anger management issues, and at the climax of her rage, she
boiled water and poured it on her teacher while she was still in P6.
“But I have changed; this is because of the good work our counsellor
Robecca has done to reform us from unruly students to responsible
people,” she said.
Her ambition is to start her own business and grow into a very prominent
plumber.
Other students who expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta
Museveni and Dr. Katana for equipping them with valuable skills include
29-year-old Albert Ahimbisibwe, a construction student as well as 33-
year-old Salim Mbulako, a carpentry student who resides in Mbuya
Kinawataka.
Nakibinge believes that: “The skills being DIT certified keep the students
focussed and motivated. It is also good because their talents are
promoted.”
