200 Kasese youths get ICT skills
Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga (2nd R) with the programme coordinator, Mr James Katikoro, inspect the progress of trainees at Kilembe SS in Kasese District last week. Photo by Enid Ninsiima
More than 200 youth in Kasese District have been equipped with information communication technology and entrepreneurial skills to reduce unemployment.
The 10-day training that ended at the weekend at Kilembe and Bwera secondary schools attracted youth with degrees, diplomas and certificates.
One of the trainees, Mr Martin Mugenyi, asked the Minister of Defence, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, who is also the Bukonzo West MP and the mastermind behing the project, to introduce research centres with ICT facilities in Kasese Municipality.
Mr Kiyonga was accompanied by officials from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Mr Bob Lyazi, a director at UCC, said ICT assists professionals do things better and urged the youth to utilise the skills acquired to change their life style.
“We want the youth to get ICT jobs, start ICT businesses such as service centres to reduce unemployment and dependency,” Mr Lyazi said.
He said UCC will assist well-organised and committed youth with good business plans to access loans from banks.
Mr Mondo Kyateka, a commissioner from the Ministry of Gender, challenged the youth to come out of their comfort zones by using any open doors available to do any work.
“The world no longer wants ordinary people but rather extra ordinary ones. In this world, we do not get what we want but rather what we work for. Many people have got lost because they do not have goals in life,” Mr Mondo said.
The youth groups got Shs1 million each from the gender ministry as a start-up capital for small business although some complained that the money was very little compared to the number of people in a group.
Mr Kiyonga challenged the youth to be visionary and focused.
“Young men and women must keep alive, desist from dangers that could take your life so early such as HIV/Aids if you want to taste to good fruits of your sweat,” the minister said.
By Enid Ninsiima, Daily Monitor
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