27 youths return home after completing tailoring training in Kampala

18 July 2025, 7:26 pm

By Otim Moses

Kitgum, Uganda – A total of 27 youths, including 26 females and one male, returned home today to jubilant celebrations after completing a three-month tailoring and garment cutting course at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) in Kampala.

The initiative, spearheaded by Kitgum Municipality MP Hon. Denis Onekalit Amere, forms part of an ongoing youth skilling programme aimed at equipping young people with practical technical skills to improve livelihoods and reduce unemployment.

The students were warmly welcomed in Pager Division by parents, community leaders, and Hon. Oyoo Santo Morish, Chairperson of Pager Division. Speaking on behalf of MP Amere, Hon. Oyoo highlighted the importance of empowering youth with skills that can transform their communities. “The MP may not be here physically, but he has entrusted me to guide and mentor these young people to become agents of change in society,” he said.

Senior citizen and education coordinator Mr Tabu Alex Odongtoo commended parents for embracing the programme and cautioned against politicising the initiative. “This is social empowerment, not politics. We are committed to extending this opportunity to every family,” he said, referring to previous challenges faced by the MP during similar outreach efforts.

Ivan Rackara, the only male trainee and a former Senior Four student from Kitgum Comprehensive College, expressed his gratitude. “I couldn’t afford to continue to A-Level, but this opportunity has changed my life. I’m proud that our team from Acholi was ranked best in the training,” he said.
Aciro Jackline, a parent from Nyanza Cell in Pager Division, shared her joy at her daughter’s transformation. “I never expected this. It feels like a miracle. I urge her to use this skill to uplift our family,” she said, describing the programme as a “gift from God”.

Simon Peter Ochan, Strategic Officer in the MP’s office, revealed that this was the second cohort to complete training. A third group of 30 students is set to begin training in welding and fabrication later this July. “We are targeting areas like Westland, where youth are particularly vulnerable, so we can turn them into change-makers,” he noted.

Originally, 28 students left for training on 23 May 2025, but one dropped out due to illness and will join the next group. Future training will cover four technical disciplines: tailoring, welding, bricklaying and concrete practice, and baking.

UIRI, a government parastatal under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, supports value addition, product development, and SME services—aligning with national efforts to enhance technical education in a manner similar to the State House Presidential Skilling Programme.