Mbale Industrial Park Empowers School Dropouts with Employment Opportunities

The Mbale-Sino Industrial Park is significantly impacting the lives of many in Mbale and surrounding areas, offering employment to numerous individuals, especially school dropouts. The park, which began operations in 2018, has become a hub of activity, drawing in a large workforce daily.

Many young people, like Beatrice Logose, a Senior Three dropout who now operates a crane at UniSteel Investment Uganda Limited, have found stable jobs despite lacking formal education. Logose expressed her surprise and happiness at being employed, stating that the only requirements were a local council letter and a National ID. The factory prioritizes safety, providing personal protective equipment and utilizing modern technology.

Ariana Nanyanzi, who dropped out of Senior Four due to financial constraints, now works as an excavator operator. She earns a substantial salary, which enables her to support her siblings’ education and meet her own needs. Nanyanzi’s journey began in a local garage as a ‘spanner girl’, where she faced initial skepticism from male colleagues but persevered to become skilled in mechanics before transitioning to operating heavy machinery.

Rose Nambozo, a single mother, highlighted how the park has improved her financial situation, allowing her to provide for her children’s education and healthcare, pay rent, and cover basic necessities. She lauded the park’s supportive policies, including maternity leave and provision of sanitary pads for female employees, and encouraged other women to seek opportunities there.

Brenda Nagudi, an electrical engineer at Chint Metres Electrical (U) LTD, shared that the company provides safety gear and has equipped her with skills she now uses to earn extra income within her community. The working environment is described as generally friendly, with timely payment of wages.

Abdullah Madoi, the mayor of Industrial City Division, noted the park’s transformative effect on Mbale City, shifting it from subsistence farming to a vibrant industrial center. Kennedy Mushemeza, the park’s PR manager, stated that 65% of the over 13,500 employees are female, and wages are determined by skill and productivity. The park also offers continuous training in various technical fields, equipping workers for long-term career sustainability.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mbale-factories-create-jobs-for-school-dropouts-5473564