Kamuli: On Saturday, September 9th, an auspicious double celebration unfolded at the Budhumbula Palace in Kamuli, where His Royal Highness, King William Wilberforce Nadiope IV, marked his 23rd Gabula Day as the Gabula of Bugabula, Budiope, and Buzaaya Chiefdom, one of the 11 chiefdoms of the Busoga Kingdom. Simultaneously, the 3rd graduation of the Kisoboka Skilling Project, led by Gabula Royal Foundation, took place.
A remarkable total of 14,000 women and youth successfully completed vocational training in various skills, a testament to the commitment to empowerment and education in the region. His Royal Highness, King Nadiope IV, expressed his admiration for the large number of graduates and applauded the unwavering efforts of various leaders who have worked tirelessly to unite the people of Busoga.
The King also extended his gratitude to Directorate of Industrial Training for their substantial contribution to support the skilling project. This generous support underscores the importance of skilling initiatives in a country where 75% of the population is under 30 years old.
Isaac Imaka, the visionary Executive Director behind this remarkable project, emphasized the organization’s mission: “Our mission to transform Busoga is unstoppable. Production is one key tool we know we have to embrace because without production then you can’t decisively deal with poverty. The Skilling Busoga project is one sure way we will turn our unemployable and unproductive young people into a useful resource for themselves and Busoga as a region. We are targeting 50,000 in five years. We so far have skilled 22,000, and we have two years left on the target.”
Busoga Kingdom recognizes the need to equip its youth with practical skills that enhance their productivity, employability, and participation in the economy. Skilling programs, like the Kisoboka Skilling Project, are instrumental in providing hands-on knowledge beyond the confines of traditional education.
His Royal Highness, King Nadiope IV, demonstrated visionary leadership when he established the Gabula Royal Foundation. This initiative addresses the challenges faced by out-of-school youth and teenage mothers who lacked both jobs and employable skills.
These initiatives align perfectly with the King’s vision for the development of Busoga Kingdom. The graduates were encouraged to leverage their newly acquired skills to uplift both themselves and the entire Busoga region to greater heights.
A heartfelt thank you was extended to Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga for her generous donation of 100 sewing machines to Gabula Royal Foundation. These machines will play a pivotal role in training more youth at skilling hubs that will be established across different chiefdoms. The donation was graciously delivered by Hon. Stephen Kisa.
In a world where the youth hold the key to the future, these initiatives are not only empowering but also vital in shaping a brighter tomorrow for Busoga and its people.
