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President Yoweri Museveni officially opened the Sebei Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Kween District, marking the end of his three-day visit to assess wealth creation efforts and the Parish Development Model in the Sebei sub-region.

President Yoweri Museveni officially launched the Sebei Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub

President Yoweri Museveni formally inaugurated the Sebei Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Kween District, concluding his three-day visit to evaluate wealth creation initiatives and the Parish Development Model in the Sebei sub-region.

The industrial hub, one of 19 across Uganda, is part of the Presidential Initiative aimed at providing skills to youth. It is designed to train over 12,000 young people each year, helping them acquire practical skills that will enable them to enter the economy and improve their livelihoods.

President Museveni emphasized the importance of skilling youth to enable them to create wealth and support their communities

“This hub is doing a great job in teaching skills. Whether it’s factory work, baking, or ICT, these are all pathways to wealth,” President Museveni said during the inauguration.

The hub offers vocational training in areas such as welding, tailoring, carpentry, hairdressing, bricklaying, and electrical installation. Graduates earn Uganda Vocational Qualifications Level One certificates, internationally recognized and equivalent to Uganda’s Certificate of Education.

President Museveni emphasized the importance of equipping youth with skills to create wealth and contribute to their communities. “We will introduce common user facilities with large machines like cutters to boost productivity and maximize benefits for all,” he added.

The President also shared plans to decentralize Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) to district levels for better accessibility. “We will invest in SACCOs, but they must be closer to the people,” he said, underlining the importance of financial support in driving economic growth.

Education remained a key focus of President Museveni’s address. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing free primary and secondary education through the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs.

Some of the products at the industrial hub

“Charging school fees in government schools is a crime. It forces children out of school. That’s why we are investing in hubs like this to provide free skills training, along with meals and accommodation,” he explained.

Reflecting on the vision of the National Resistance Movement, President Museveni encouraged Ugandans to embrace commercial agriculture, industries, services, and ICT as pillars of wealth creation. He advised farmers to focus on high-value ventures such as coffee, dairy farming, and fish farming for sustainable income.

Some of the products at the industrial hub

Kisos Abdi Fadhil Chemaswet, the MP for Soi Constituency, praised the President for securing peace in Sebei and supporting agricultural projects like the Nyenye irrigation scheme. “This hub is a beacon of hope for youth and women, allowing them to learn, grow, and contribute to Uganda’s economy,” he said.

Ms. Justine Yeko, the Kapchorwa District Commercial Officer, highlighted the hub’s positive impact on socio-economic development. Since its opening, the hub has trained 912 youth and created 37 direct jobs. “This hub empowers our youth with the skills to transform their lives and build our nation,” she remarked.

Ms. Yeko also emphasized the role of parents in supporting the hub’s initiatives and the importance of promoting locally made products through the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) campaign.

Local leaders agreed that the Sebei hub exemplifies the government’s commitment to training youth for wealth creation, local development, and economic independence.