Editorial
More than 5,000 students from the seventh cohort have completed six months of free vocational training under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC).
On Wednesday, the trainees showcased a wide range of products and services during the final exhibition held at the Makerere University Rugby Grounds under the theme, “Skilling, Socialising and Showcasing.”
The event was officiated by the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President, Hon. Santa Sandra Alum Ogwang, who represented the Minister for the Presidency, Babirye Milly Babalanda.
The exhibition brought together trainees from the PISGBC centres across Kampala, including Mulago, Subway, Kikoni, Namuwongo, Mutundwe, Nankulabye, Kigowa and Wandegeya.
The trainees displayed products made through vocational training in tailoring and garment design, carpentry and joinery, welding and metal fabrication, hairdressing and weaving, bakery and confectionery, shoemaking and leather works, construction, embroidery, plumbing, electrical installation, electronics and phone repair, mechanics, and tyre recycling.
The event also featured a sports gala in which trainees from the Subway Skilling centre emerged champions in football, while the Kigowa Skilling centre won the netball competition. The winning teams were awarded trophies.
During the same event, Dr. Faith Mirembe Katana, the Special Presidential Assistant on Skilling and Education and Head of PISGBC, said the initiative has transformed the lives of many young people from Kampala’s informal settlements who were previously involved in substance abuse and crime.
The PISGBC programme forms part of the government’s broader efforts to equip young people with practical vocational skills, promote self-employment and improve household incomes in the country.