By James Alomu

Leaders of LuAteker Concepts have intensified efforts to mobilise young people across the Teso sub-region to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic transformation, ahead of the upcoming 3rd Ateker Annual Young Entrepreneurs Symposium.

The initiative, which has steadily gained traction in Eastern Uganda, is positioning itself as a catalyst for sustainable youth-led enterprise development in a region grappling with unemployment and socio-economic challenges. Speaking during a press briefing held at Airiamet Coffee Shop, the Executive Director of LuAteker Concepts, George William Okoit, underscored the importance of equipping young people with practical business knowledge.

He explained that the organisation’s mission goes beyond inspiration, focusing instead on actionable skills that enable youth to start, grow and sustain viable businesses. Okoit noted that entrepreneurship should not be narrowly defined as the buying and selling of goods, but rather as a broad field that includes monetising talents and skills. He emphasised that many young people already possess marketable abilities such as photography, music, event hosting, and digital services, but often fail to structure these into profitable ventures due to limited knowledge in business fundamentals.

The third edition of the Ateker Annual Young Entrepreneurs Symposium is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2026, at Soroti Secondary School. Organisers revealed that the date was carefully adjusted to avoid overlapping with recent political activities in the country, reaffirming the initiative’s commitment to remaining strictly non-partisan. According to Okoit, the symposium aims to provide a unifying platform where young people from diverse backgrounds can learn, network and collaborate without political divisions.

He stressed that the focus is on community development and economic empowerment rather than political alignment. A central theme of the symposium will be addressing the knowledge gaps that often hinder business success among young entrepreneurs. Okoit highlighted that many enterprises fail not because of lack of effort, but due to inadequate understanding of critical areas such as branding, marketing strategies, financial management and customer relations.

Without these skills, he warned, young entrepreneurs risk undervaluing their services, losing clients and ultimately abandoning their ventures. The initiative also seeks to redefine the concept of a “young entrepreneur” by including individuals who may have been in business for years but have not experienced significant growth. These individuals, Okoit explained, are equally in need of transformation and capacity building. Beyond economic empowerment, the organisers linked youth unemployment and poverty to a range of pressing social challenges in the Teso sub-region.

These include rising cases of domestic violence, crime, early marriages and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Okoit cautioned that failure to create meaningful income-generating opportunities for young people could exacerbate these issues, undermining community stability and development. He called upon political leaders, community stakeholders and development partners to support the initiative through mobilisation efforts and goodwill, rather than financial contributions.

According to him, collective support in encouraging youth participation is critical to achieving the programme’s long-term goals. The symposium is expected to feature participation from key government institutions, including the Uganda Revenue Authority, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority.

These agencies will provide guidance on business formalisation, compliance requirements and regulatory frameworks, helping participants understand the importance of operating within the legal and institutional environment. Financial institutions will also play a key role during the event by offering insights into accessing funding opportunities. Discussions will centre on the importance of proper record-keeping, business planning and financial discipline, which are often prerequisites for securing loans or grants.

Okoit pointed out that many young entrepreneurs miss out on funding due to lack of documentation and clear growth strategies. LuAteker Concepts has received backing from several organisations, including the Bank of Uganda, which is supporting the symposium for the second consecutive year. Other partners include SOCADIDO, ADEFO and Voice of Teso, which will serve as the official media partner.

Representing Voice of Teso, Sarah Asio affirmed the station’s commitment to amplifying information about the symposium across its platforms. She noted that effective communication is essential in ensuring that as many young people as possible are reached and encouraged to participate. Meanwhile, Ben Boham Okiror, representing SOCADIDO and coordinating the ADEFO multi-actor partnership project, highlighted the importance of integrating agriculture into the entrepreneurship agenda.

He revealed that the organisation is actively mobilising young farmers to attend the symposium, with a focus on transforming agriculture into a profitable and sustainable enterprise. Okiror explained that ADEFO is currently working with over 3,600 smallholder farmers, promoting a “farmpreneur” model that encourages a shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. He stressed that agriculture, when properly managed, has the potential to generate significant income and improve household livelihoods.

He further identified key agricultural opportunities such as cocoa, coffee, cashew nuts and shea nut farming, which could drive economic growth in the region if young people adopt modern farming techniques and business-oriented approaches. The organisers expect between 2,500 and 3,000 participants to attend the symposium. Attendance, meals and training materials will be provided free of charge, a move aimed at removing financial barriers and ensuring inclusivity.

The event will also feature prominent keynote speakers, including Jeje Odongo Abubakhar and Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, the cultural leader of the Iteso people. Their participation is expected to inspire attendees through insights drawn from their experiences in leadership, governance and enterprise development. As the countdown to the symposium continues, LuAteker Concepts remains focused on its ambitious vision of creating 5,000 businesses within five years.

Okoit expressed confidence that with the right support, training and mindset, young people in the Teso sub-region can become drivers of economic growth and agents of social change. He concluded by reiterating that the future of the region lies in empowering its youth to become self-reliant, innovative and resilient entrepreneurs capable of building sustainable livelihoods and contributing to national development.