Madi Leaders Advocate for ICT Integration at Presidential Skilling Hub

Leaders from the Madi sub-region have urged the State House to enhance the Madi Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub by introducing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories and computer-related courses.

This appeal was made during a recent stakeholder meeting in Adjumani District, where the hub serves youth from Moyo, Adjumani, and Obongi districts. Geoffrey Ocaliap, Resident District Commissioner for Moyo and chairperson of the hub’s board, emphasized the critical need for digital skills alongside vocational training to ensure graduates are competitive in today’s job market.

Ocaliap highlighted that an ICT lab would facilitate research into new technologies and pave the way for computer studies as a new program. He also encouraged regional leaders to boost mobilization efforts to ensure more vulnerable youth can access the government’s free skilling initiative.

During the meeting, Godfrey Longa, Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs representing the State House Comptroller, commended the Madi leaders for their support. He announced that President Museveni had allocated Shs8.8 billion nationwide for Presidential Industrial Hub SACCOs to provide start-up capital to graduates. The Madi Hub SACCO received Shs150 million, with Shs50 million allocated to each of the three participating districts.

Longa also revealed expansions to the hub’s value-addition component, including a grain milling plant, an animal feed factory, and modern grain silos. He urged local leaders to promote commercial agriculture to maximize the use of these facilities and create more jobs.

The meeting also featured success stories from former trainees. Rehema Jamila, a tailoring graduate, shared how SACCO funding enabled her to start her own business, which now employs others. Amacha William, who trained in bakery, expanded his small business significantly after receiving Shs700,000 from the SACCO, now employing six people and supplying baked goods across the region.

The Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub program, under the Office of the State House Comptroller, offers free vocational training, accommodation, meals, and start-up capital to vulnerable youth, aiming to foster entrepreneurship and contribute to national development.

This report is based on information from Nile Post.