Young people called on to embrace business in the Elgon Region

15 June 2023, 11:09 am

Byamukama Alozious; byamukamaalozious1993@gmail.com

Gudie Leisure Farm has called on Youth to utilize the God given fertile soils in Elgon region for Farming. During the training on equipping Young entrepreneurs at Gudie Leisure Farm in Najjera, a number of youth from Elgon attended to gaining framing skills where government through the national planning authority urged to assist them.

Gudie Leisure Farm (GLF) has already trained more than 1,200 young people with entrepreneurship skills which has boosted sustainability in business.  

Speaking during the Elgon Region Business Symposium held at the Gudie Leisure Farm in Kampala, the Executive Director Gudula Naiga Basaza said, the youth are embracing their role in transforming the region by being proactive, productive, planned and profitable entrepreneurs.

Basaza added that they have engaged in value chain linked agribusinesses and have held skilling sessions in over 30 districts of Uganda whereas this month of June 2023 emphasis has been on Elgon region to spotlight Opportunities for young People. She added that within the region, Youths are trained weekly in the parish Entrepreneurship learning Associations (PELs) established to design advancement of their enterprises

Basaza added that many youths have not valued opportunities around them which has lead to low productivity in the region

Meanwhile the National planning Authority senior planner in Trade and Tourism Othieno Odol,  represented the Deputy Executive Direction Charles Oleny Ojok said to support the growth of the region ,government allocated a substantial  budget of UGX 2 billion ( $550,000) to provide financial assistance to micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Elgon region.

Othieno says the funding has been utilized to provide loans, grants, and subsides to eligible businesses, enabling them to expand operation and invest in technology and enhance productivity.