UIRI establishes youth centre in Fort Portal

UIRI establishes youth centre in Fort Portal. The Uganda Industrial Research Institute- UIRI has established a youth training centre in Fort Portal.

This is part of the Memorandum of Understanding- MoU that was signed last year between the Tooro Kingdom and the institute. Read from UIRI; https://www.uiri.go.ug/media/tooro-kingdom-launches-its-youth-training-initiative-support-uiri

Ten youth from the different districts in the Kingdom were also enrolled for a one-month training in tailoring at the newly established youth centre.

The Centre, which is located at Mucwa in Fort Portal, is housed in structures that formally belonged to the Kabarole district works department. The centre will train youths in Mechanics and Repair, textile design, Carpentry and Joinery, and Information Technology, among other courses.

At the launch of the centre held on Friday, the UIRI- Executive Director Prof. Kwesiga said that UIRI will provide the equipment and the youth will be trained by staff from UIRI. According to Kwesiga, the trained youth will also pass over the skills to their colleagues.

Kwesiga thanked the Kingdom for identifying space for the centre.

The King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV said that he is optimistic that the centre will offer hands-on training, value addition and product development, technology development and research for the benefit of youth groups in the kingdom.

He also said that the MOU that was signed between the Kingdom and UIRI targets eradicating unemployment among the youth through offering them skills that seek to transform their lives and create opportunities in the region.

Edward Kasaija the Youth Affairs minister in the Tooro Kingdom said that the youth will be enrolled at the centre in phases and will be trained in different skills. 

Enock Ampaire, one of the youth who trained at UIRI says that they will use the attained skills to train youth who will be enrolled at the centre.