Luwero — The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, yesterday represented the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Kataaha Museveni, at the graduation of 100 youths from the Muslim Ambassadors Uganda (MAU) Skilling Centre in Masinga Village, Kikyusa Sub-county, Luwero District.
The graduates completed one-year training courses in tailoring, fashion design, hairdressing, plumbing, mechanical engineering, detergent and soap production, catering, renewable energy, and modern agriculture.
Delivering the First Lady’s message, Hajjat Namyalo reaffirmed government’s commitment to expanding skilling programmes across the country as a strategic intervention against youth unemployment and economic vulnerability.
Mrs Museveni, in her remarks, applauded MAU for equipping learners with practical competencies that directly respond to the demands of the job market.
“Government continues to support skilling centres because their impact is evident. These hands-on skills are enabling our young people to create jobs, become self-reliant, and contribute to national development,” she said.
She further urged the graduates to apply their knowledge productively, emphasising that skilling remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
“Our bazzukulu must put their skills to work. Do not wait for employment; position yourselves as job creators. With the right skills, commitment, and patriotism, our young people will propel this country forward,” Mrs Museveni noted, urging the graduates to uphold discipline, innovation, and hard work as they begin their professional journeys.
In her message to the gathering, Namyalo expressed gratitude to the First Lady for entrusting her with the representation role, describing her as “a mother of the nation with a genuine heart for the bazzukulu.”
She criticised some opposition leaders for allegedly failing to articulate local needs such as water, electricity, and better roads.
“If leaders do not present the needs of the people to government, how will services reach them?” she asked, urging voters to support leaders who work collaboratively with government structures.
Namyalo further announced that the Ministry of Education had extended a UGX 10 million contribution to the MAU Skilling Centre, clarifying that the funds were part of routine institutional support rather than a political gesture.
She added that the ONC would lobby for empowerment tools for the graduates after the elections to facilitate start-up projects.
The Kikyusa Centre, established in April this year, is one of eight MAU skilling facilities operating nationwide under the stewardship of Principal Kasim Male.
Local leaders, including Kikyusa Sub-county NRM Chairperson Ms Nuru Kijambu, applauded Hajjat Namyalo for revitalising government mobilisation efforts.
She observed that since Namyalo assumed leadership of the ONC, the office had become “closer to the bazzukulu” through direct community engagement and empowerment initiatives.
The ceremony drew hundreds of residents and local leaders who lauded government support toward youth empowerment. Luwero NRM Vice Chairperson Ms Christine Nakabugo also commended Namyalo for rallying support for President Museveni and called on residents to back the NRM in the forthcoming elections.
During the event, members of the Alliance of Independent Presidential Aspirants informed Namyalo that although they were denied nomination by the Electoral Commission, they had resolved to support President Museveni’s 2026 bid. They asked for avenues through which they could contribute to national development.
MAU Principal Kasim Male revealed that Second Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Lukia Nakadama, serves as the organisation’s patron and that its membership now stands at more than 240,000 youths countrywide.
He appealed for urgent government action to address persistent water and electricity shortages in Masinga, which he said were undermining the Centre’s expansion plans.
Earlier in the day, Namyalo laid the foundation stone for a new training complex intended to enhance the Centre’s capacity.
Mr Male also submitted a detailed report to Namyalo for onward transmission to the First Lady, describing it as “a gift from the people of Luwero, where the NRM liberation struggle began.”
