To tackle the high youth unemployment rate in Zombo District, a consortium of NGOs, including Life Concern, Nebbi NGO Forum, and CEFORD, has been actively recruiting, training, and equipping young people with hands-on skills over the past three years.
This initiative has transformed hundreds of youths into skilled professionals running profitable ventures.
In addition to addressing unemployment, the organizations are working to improve academic performance, social well-being, and the vocational skills of the youth. Their efforts fall under a UGX 4.2 billion project called “Alochi Ku Somu,” funded by the Swiss-based NGO, CO-OPERAID, since 2022.
Over the last three years, the project has transformed the lives of youths selected from all 15 lower local governments in Zombo District.
On October 11, the final group of trainees from Zeu Sub-County graduated after three months of intensive hands-on skills training in tyre repairs, tailoring, and videography at the Life Concern Skill Training Center in Paidha.
At the graduation ceremony held at Zeu Sub-County headquarters, Kakura Emmy Kizito, Executive Director of Life Concern, announced that the newly skilled youths would receive start-up kits and be grouped for effective collaboration.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork, knowledge exchange, and upgrading their skills through practice and further education.
Kakura also warned the youths against selling their equipment, referencing past incidents of misuse.
“We will arrest you for selling these tools. Last year, we arrested someone and a teacher in Alangi who tried to sell their equipment,” he cautioned. He further urged the government to provide training for youth on how to benefit from government programmes.
The graduates received certificates and start-up kits, including tyre repair machines, sewing machines, and video cameras, readying them for the job market.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the youth unemployment rate stood at 17% in 2021. The project is seen as a crucial step in reducing this number.
Hudson Cikawun, Zeu Sub-County Chief, encouraged the graduates to apply their newfound skills and warned them against laziness. Similarly, Francis Pimundu, LC III Chairperson of Zeu Sub-County, commended the organizations for their life-changing impact and appealed for more similar initiatives.
Several beneficiaries shared their success stories during the ceremony. Jangeyambe Jeremy from Papoga Parish said, “I am already earning from the skills I learned, and I thank Life Concern for changing my life.” Nyingaling Brian, another beneficiary who trained in tailoring, expressed gratitude, saying, “I was working on a farm with my mother, but now, thanks to Life Concern, I can stand on my own.”
The training has already opened doors for some graduates, particularly those who trained in videography. With minimal capital required, they have ventured into freelancing, seizing the lucrative market opportunities in the field.
Zombo District has a population of 312,188, and recent surveys show that 65% of youths in the district cannot read or write. Hands-on skills are being promoted as a way to combat this issue, giving young people practical abilities to succeed in the workforce.
Bruno Obomba Mananu, Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, praised the organizations for complementing government efforts to reduce poverty.
He highlighted the consortium’s transparency and positive impact on the community. “I commend the organization for supplementing the government’s work. We have an industrial hub in Atheju, but the numbers we can support are limited,” Obomba said, encouraging the youth to use their skills to achieve self-reliance.
Last week, the consortium also supported seven youth groups in Abanga, Jangokoro, and Padea Town Council for their efforts toward economic transformation.
Zombo’s Community Development Officer, Samuel Ocaki, who also serves as the chairman of Life Concern, urged the youth to put their skills to good use and cautioned against laziness. He also called on parents to support their children and avoid causing conflicts, especially as the youth will be grouped based on their trades.
The consortium’s work has extended beyond unemployment, as it has also rehabilitated 21 schools with deteriorating infrastructure, providing a much-needed boost to these underfunded institutions. In June this year, the project received another three-year extension of support from its funder, CO-OPERAID.
The project continues to provide hope and practical solutions for Zombo’s youth, preparing them for a brighter and more self-reliant future.