Gov’t doubles enrollment at Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub Lango Zone to 480 learners

4 August 2026, 4:08 pm

By Winnie Auma

The Government has doubled the enrollment capacity at the Lango Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub at Lira University from 240 to 480 learners per intake, in a move aimed at expanding access to free vocational training for vulnerable youth across the Lango sub-region.

George Abdul, the Chairperson of the Lango Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub, said the decision follows repeated appeals from local leaders who argued that the previous intake of 240 students was too small to meet the growing demand for skills training among young people from disadvantaged families.

According to Abdul, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni approved the increase in enrollment to ensure that more youth from poor households can acquire practical skills that improve their livelihoods and create employment opportunities.

“The President has accepted to increase our enrollment from 240 to 480 learners so that more vulnerable youth can benefit from the government skilling programme,” Abdul said.

To accommodate the increased numbers, Abdul revealed that plans are underway to expand the students’ dormitory and recruit additional instructors to maintain the quality of training.

He explained that officials from State House recently met district skilling hub committees to assess the progress of the programme and discuss ways of improving service delivery at the hub. The meeting also introduced new stakeholders to the programme and emphasized the need for transparency during the recruitment of beneficiaries.

Abdul noted that concerns have been raised over alleged irregularities in the admission process, with reports that some deserving applicants have been left out due to manipulation by individuals involved in recruitment.He stressed that the government programme is specifically intended to benefit youth from poor families and urged district committees to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries are selected.

President Museveni introduced the Presidential Industrial Hubs programme in the 2021/2022 financial year to provide free vocational training to unemployed youth across the country.

The programme equips learners with practical skills in trades such as tailoring, welding, carpentry, bakery, shoe making, construction and hairdressing, among others. Graduates are also supported with startup capital or equipment to help them establish businesses.

Since its establishment in the 2021/2022 financial year, the Lango Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub has graduated more than 1,200 learners, many of whom have gone on to start small businesses and generate income through vocational skills acquired at the facility.