By Nathan Eyagu 

SOROTI – President Yoweri Museveni has officially launched the Soroti Industrial Presidential Skilling Hub, a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide practical vocational training to young Ugandans, particularly in the Teso region.

The Hub, which currently enrolls 240 students from diverse academic backgrounds, is set to play a crucial role in addressing the country’s youth unemployment challenges while spurring local economic development.

The commissioning ceremony, held on Tuesday morning in Arapai, Soroti, marks a significant step in the government's broader strategy to equip the youth with hands-on skills that are directly aligned with market needs. The President, during his visit, toured a variety of facilities within the Hub, including those focused on welding, metal fabrication, industrial art and design, hairdressing, cosmetology, carpentry, and brick-laying. These areas are central to the government’s vision of equipping the youth with the skills to both create and secure jobs, reducing the dependence on formal education pathways alone.

The Soroti Industrial Hub is part of President Museveni's continued efforts to shift Uganda’s economic focus towards practical, skill-based learning. During the tour, the President witnessed firsthand the impressive work of students who have already completed training programs in areas such as tailoring, carpentry, and welding. He expressed his satisfaction with the students’ work and emphasized the need for continued investment in skills development as a means to uplift the nation’s youth.

"This is the right direction for Uganda," said Museveni, highlighting that empowering the youth with skills in areas that are directly relevant to the local economy would help address not only unemployment but also foster self-reliance. He also pledged government support for further developing the initiative and ensuring that such skills can be put to use in industries that drive growth in both rural and urban areas.

The Soroti Industrial Hub is not only a training center but also a symbol of the government's commitment to creating sustainable industries in the Teso Subregion. The facility is designed to serve as a catalyst for economic transformation, providing young Ugandans with the practical skills needed to contribute to both local and national economies.

The launch was attended by several high-profile government officials, including Vice President Jesca Alupo and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among. The presence of these leaders underlined the significance of the event and the strategic importance of the Hub within the broader context of Uganda's development agenda.

The Hub’s opening is part of a wider government strategy to address Uganda's youth unemployment crisis by focusing on practical skills training and local enterprise development. President Museveni has long championed the need for youth to move beyond academic qualifications and acquire hands-on skills that are in demand in the modern economy.

Following the commissioning event, President Museveni is set to meet with local leaders and technical staff from districts across the Teso Subregion at the Kumi Boma Grounds. This meeting will focus on strategies for wealth creation and socio-economic transformation, with an emphasis on leveraging the skills developed at centers like the Soroti Industrial Hub to build a more prosperous future for the region.

The Soroti Industrial Hub is just one example of the government's ongoing efforts to promote vocational education across Uganda. With the youth accounting for a significant proportion of the population, the government has recognized the need to equip them with the skills that will allow them to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market.

The initiative also aligns with the country’s broader development goals, including poverty reduction, industrialization, and the creation of sustainable job opportunities. The hope is that through initiatives like the Soroti Industrial Hub, young Ugandans will not only gain the skills to secure employment but also develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to create new industries and opportunities in their communities.

In the coming months, the government plans to expand these training hubs to other regions, making vocational education more accessible to young people across the country and ensuring that Uganda’s workforce is prepared for the demands of the future.

Through this initiative, the government is laying the groundwork for a future where the youth are not just the workforce of tomorrow, but the job creators of today.