Vocational Training Empowers Refugee Women in West Nile with New Skills and Independence

In the bustling training halls of Omugo Refugee Settlement in Terego District, women operate sewing machines with focus, crafting vibrant garments. Betty Poni, a 35-year-old South Sudanese refugee who arrived a decade ago, now measures fabric confidently. Once reliant on food aid, she sews school uniforms to support her children and dreams of her own tailoring shop.

The program, supported by UN Women, targets underprivileged women and girls facing poverty and limited education. Participants learn tailoring, hairdressing, catering, driving, and entrepreneurship. Sarah Ladu, 19, dropped out of school but now styles hair, earning income for her family. Esther Norah, 30, from Bidibidi in Yumbe, trained as a mechanic and received tools to work independently after early hardships.

Over 500 women across Terego, Yumbe, and Adjumani have benefited from this EU and Netherlands-funded project costing USD 90,000. Andrew Sessanga from UN Women noted that startup kits, like machines and tricycles, are often given to groups to encourage savings and accountability. This builds financial resilience and opens business centers.

Officials praise the initiative for promoting unity between refugees and hosts, reducing resource tensions. Justine Gonza from OPM emphasized how skills bring dignity, better family nutrition, and school retention. UN Women’s Ndieli Adekemi urged women to use the kits as a bridge from dependency, avoiding desperate measures seen in other settlements.

Local leaders like Terego’s Assistant RDC Emmanuel Munduni advocate vocational training over formal education to combat unemployment.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)