education 2 July 2026 Nile Post

Over 5,000 Youth Graduate from Presidential Free Vocational Training Program

More than 5,000 young individuals have successfully completed a six-month free vocational training program under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC). The graduates showcased their newly acquired skills and products at a recent exhibition. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/353240/over-5000-youth-complete-free-vocational-training-under-presidential-skilling-programme

A significant milestone was reached as over 5,000 youth successfully completed their free six-month vocational training through the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC). The recent cohort culminated their training with an exhibition showcasing a diverse array of products and services, a testament to the practical skills imparted.

The “Skilling, Socialising and Showcasing” event, held at Makerere University Rugby Grounds, was a vibrant display of talent from various PISGBC centers across Kampala. Trainees presented their expertise in fields such as tailoring, carpentry, welding, hairdressing, bakery, shoemaking, construction, and electronics repair.

Officiating the event, Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Santa Sandra Alum Ogwang, highlighted the initiative’s crucial role in empowering youth. “Today’s exhibition is more than just a display of products and talent. It is a demonstration of what can be achieved when our youth are empowered with practical skills, discipline, and the confidence to create opportunities for themselves,” she stated.

Ogwang encouraged the graduates to leverage their new skills for entrepreneurship, emphasizing quality and market competitiveness. The program, aligned with Uganda’s national development agenda, aims to foster a skilled workforce capable of innovation and job creation. Dr. Faith Mirembe Katana, Head of PISGBC, noted the program’s transformative impact, particularly for youth from informal settlements, helping them move away from substance abuse and crime towards productive livelihoods.

Graduates shared inspiring stories of personal transformation, citing improved employability and the ability to establish their own businesses. The program is recognized for providing tangible pathways to self-reliance and economic contribution, directly addressing youth unemployment and poverty.

This initiative continues to be a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to equip young Ugandans with marketable skills, fostering self-employment and enhancing household incomes nationwide.