By Nathan Eyagu 

SOROTI - The Ugandan government has introduced an ambitious initiative to address youth unemployment and poverty in Teso, focusing on practical agribusiness skills. The Youth Empowerment in Agripreneurship Programme (YEAP), a collaboration between the Office of the President’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat (STI-OP), Busitema University, and the Institute for National Transformation designed to equip young Ugandans to become self-reliant agripreneurs and community leaders in sustainable agriculture.

The YEAP initiative, launched in May 2024, provides a three-month structured training program, beginning with a foundational three-week residential course at the Busitema University Agro Entrepreneurship Centre.

100 selected participants from Teso districts will be introduced to core skills in business management, modern farming techniques, value addition, branding, and market access. Following this foundational training, participants will be sent to different farms for further hands-on experience, where they will apply and enhance their skills in real agricultural environments.

To boost up the young entrepreneurs as they begin their ventures, each participant will receive financial support ranging between 2 and 3.5 million UGX, depending on the category of agribusiness they pursue.

The program’s financial backing, coupled with continued supervision and guidance from program facilitators, ensures that each project has structured support. Program coordinators will monitor the progress of each agribusiness initiative, recording developments and providing mentorship to enhance participants' success, helping to transform Teso's agricultural sector into a driver of economic resilience and food security.

The selection process for YEAP emphasized fairness and inclusivity, with 100 finalists chosen from a pool of 382 applicants. Prioritizing gender equity and accessibility, the program also includes Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), making agribusiness opportunities available to all segments of society and aligning with Uganda’s national commitment to social inclusion.

Funded with a UGX 572 million allocation, YEAP’s pilot phase in Teso serves as a potential model for expansion across Uganda.

While addressing a press conference at Soroti Hotel on Saturday, Mr. Okiror Simon Peter, a lecturer and the Deputy Director of Busitema University’s Agro Entrepreneurship Centre (BUAEC), outlined the program’s wider goals. “The primary objective of this program is to equip young people with the skills to manage and expand agribusinesses, thus creating wealth and contributing to the national economy,” said Mr. Okiror.

He also explained that the initiative is not only about agricultural training but also about cultivating responsible citizens who can drive socio-economic growth.

Dr. Joseph Opul, a lecturer at Gulu University and Director of Quality Education Consultancy Ltd, highlighted the importance of combining agribusiness training with entrepreneurial skills to ensure long-term success. “Young people need more than just technical training in their specific value chain. They also need business skills to manage and grow their enterprises,” Dr. Opul emphasized. “Our aim is to make participants competitive in the marketplace, both locally and internationally.”

Dr. Opul further noted that the YEAP training will incorporate practical business strategies such as marketing, customer engagement, and competitive positioning, equipping participants to thrive in a globalized agricultural market. Unlike other youth programs, YEAP is designed with a robust follow-up and mentorship component, ensuring ongoing support as participants build and scale their businesses.

Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Soroti City West Division, Mr. James Chemutai, emphasized that the program’s success in Teso could lead to its implementation in other regions, ultimately transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector into a vibrant, youth-led engine for economic growth.

Professor Vincent C. Anigbogu, Director of the Busitema University Agro Entrepreneurship Centre, emphasized that the program’s scope goes beyond technical agribusiness skills. “We are developing resilient entrepreneurs. Beyond skills training, participants also engage in physical training with the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) to cultivate discipline and a strong work ethic,” Professor Anigbogu explained.

He also added that beyond agribusiness training, participants will also undergo physical training with the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) to build discipline and work ethic, a holistic approach designed to instill values of persistence and responsibility, preparing participants for the challenges of running a business.