By Nathan Eyagu 

SOROTI - The Ateker Young Entrepreneurs Symposium 2025 has unveiled an ambitious initiative aimed at creating 25,000 new enterprises in the Ateker region over the next five years. The announcement came during a press conference held today in Soroti City, where George William Okoit, CEO of Teso Textiles and Executive Director of Lu’ateker Concepts, shared details of the symposium’s goals and outlined a bold new vision for youth entrepreneurship in the region.  

Scheduled for January 25, 2025, at Soroti Secondary School’s Main Hall, the symposium will bring together hundreds of young entrepreneurs, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss strategies for fostering economic growth and job creation in the Ateker community. Under the theme “Young Entrepreneurs Shaping Tomorrow’s World,” the symposium aims to provide young people with the skills, inspiration, and resources they need to become successful entrepreneurs and contribute to the region’s economic transformation.  

During the press conference, Okoit outlined the symposium’s ambitious goal of creating 25,000 enterprises by 2030. This goal is designed to address the region’s unemployment challenges by empowering young people to create their own businesses and contribute to the local economy. Okoit stressed the importance of entrepreneurship as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty and creating sustainable economic growth in the region.  

“Entrepreneurship is the key to economic empowerment, and we must give our youth the tools to succeed. This is not just about starting businesses; it’s about creating an ecosystem of opportunity that allows the youth of Ateker to thrive,” Okoit said. “Through this symposium, we aim to inspire young entrepreneurs, provide them with the necessary skills and networks, and ultimately support the creation of thousands of new enterprises.”  

Okoit’s personal journey from humble beginnings to successful entrepreneurship in Soroti served as a powerful testament to the potential of entrepreneurship. “I arrived in Soroti in 2006 with nothing but determination, and today, I am proud to employ over 20 people. I am a living example that entrepreneurship can change lives. If I can do it, so can the youth of Ateker,” Okoit added.  

The symposium will feature a range of activities designed to empower young entrepreneurs and provide them with the resources they need to succeed. These include motivational talks from successful business leaders, practical workshops on business skills, and networking opportunities with industry experts and investors. The event will also see the launch of the Ateker Business Forum, a platform for entrepreneurs to access training, mentorship, and financial support.  

Isaac Esaru, Program Coordinator at Lu’ateker Concepts, emphasized that the forum will be a key resource for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and access affordable financial services. “We are creating a platform where entrepreneurs can come together, share knowledge, and receive the support they need to grow their businesses,” Esaru said. “This forum will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goal of creating 25,000 enterprises in the next five years.”  

In addition to the business-focused sessions, the symposium will address health and well-being, with the AIDS Information Centre-Uganda offering free HIV testing services to participants. “We believe that a healthy entrepreneur is a successful entrepreneur,” said Abdallah Ochogiah, Advocacy and Communications Specialist at the AIDS Information Centre.  

Okoit called on local leaders, financial institutions, and the private sector to support the initiative and help create an environment where young entrepreneurs can thrive. He urged Members of Parliament and other leaders to facilitate youth participation in the symposium and create policies that encourage entrepreneurship.  

“We need the support of our leaders, our financial institutions, and our business community to make this vision a reality. This is not just about the youth; this is about transforming the entire region. Together, we can create an ecosystem that fosters innovation, economic growth, and job creation,” Okoit said.  

The symposium also received support from corporate partners like Sparrow Hotel, whose General Manager, Stephen Onek, emphasized the importance of community development and creativity in business. “As a business in the hospitality industry, we understand the importance of creating opportunities and supporting local entrepreneurs. We are proud to back this initiative,” Onek stated.  

The Ateker Young Entrepreneurs Symposium 2025 is set to be a transformative event, with the potential to reshape the economic future of Ateker. By providing young people with the skills, resources, and inspiration they need to start businesses, the symposium aims to create a ripple effect that will benefit not only the participants but the entire region.  

With a bold vision of creating 25,000 enterprises over the next five years, the symposium marks the beginning of a new era for Ateker’s youth.

As the event approaches, anticipation continues to grow, and the community looks forward to the opportunities and successes that lie ahead as the Ateker Young Entrepreneurs Symposium 2025 is not just a one-time event - it is the beginning of a movement that will empower the youth of Ateker to shape their own futures and drive economic transformation in the region.