Mukono, Uganda – In a major push to combat unemployment and boost household incomes, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s skilling program has certified over 3,000 artisans in Greater Mukono alone, equipping them with vocational credentials to formalize their trades.
Mass Certification Drive
- 2,000 beneficiaries received accreditation last year at Mukono Boarding Primary School.
- An additional 1,000+ were certified this week at Mt. Lebanon Church, Ggunga Village, in trades including:
- Motorcycle repair
- Hairdressing
- Tailoring
- Welding
Government’s Pro-Poor Agenda
Presidential Advisor for Mukono Municipality Rhonda Tiitwe Kagaaga and Assistant RDC Godfrey Mwogeezi oversaw the distribution, emphasizing:
- "This isn’t politics – it’s economic emancipation" (Mwogeezi)
- Recipients urged to use certifications to access government tenders/loans
Breaking Political Barriers
Mwogeezi dismissed opposition claims of politicization:
"After 38 years, no one can accuse Museveni of empty promises. These certificates are tools to escape poverty."
Voices from the Ground
- Samuel Lwandasa (Program Coordinator):
"We’re targeting every informal artisan. Formalization unlocks funding opportunities."
- Yekosofati Mukwaanya (Municipal Development Forum):
"Fight poverty, not government. These skills are lifelong assets."
- Dr. Keefa Sempangi (Beneficiary Advocate):
"Our gratitude to the President. We now demand market linkages."
Strategic Impact
The initiative:
✅ Validates informal skills
✅ Enables access to credit
✅ Reduces youth vulnerability to political exploitation
Next Phase: Rollout of affordable toolkits and cooperative formation support.
"Your hands now hold legal economic power." – RDC’s Office, Mukono
Visuals: [Include photos of certificate distribution, skilled artisans at work]
Analysis: This program signals NRM’s shift from welfare to productive empowerment, though sustainability hinges on follow-up capital access.
