The government of Uganda continues to create opportunities for the youth for empowerment, employment creation for poverty alleviation.
On 7th November, 2021 my friend Josephine sent me a YouTube link to watch business garage a business platform hosted by Worship Harvest Ministries. While being asked about what had stood out for her in her school year at School of Practical Business, Gladys a student said her turn around was her visit to Uganda Industrial Research Institute.
She was shocked at the same time impressed that so many businesses including those that have already dominated the market are being incubated at the Institute. One of the companies she highlighted was Mega Mega Milk. Mega milk has been able to procure 50 acres of land and will be able to move out of the institute once they have built their factory.
Gladys, went ahead to credit the Government of Uganda for such initiatives that show that they wish their citizens well and wishes Ugandans to prosper economically.
Just like Gladys, as I listened to her, I was also impressed that such opportunities exist and I have never explored the option of finding out what support I can get from the institute. How many other Ugandans are manufacturing and struggling to sustain their businesses because they don’t have the technical support and infrastructure support?
This was an eye open and it gave me a motivation to write about this so as Ugandans we do not miss opportunities because of ignorance due to lack of information about government programs.
Uganda Industrial Research Institute spurs inexperienced entrepreneurs to skilled and productive industrialists within her setting. The institute currently incubates more than 39 companies/startups in house at the institute and virtually supports over 36 at their satellite incubation centers dealing in different products. They also support projects in different districts to empower young entrepreneurs and business projects. The incubated companies, enjoy UIRI’s facilities and expertise as the Institute nurtures them into vibrant business entities.
For the last many years, UIRI has continued to focus on empowering youth in skills and nurturing their entrepreneur ambitions. Over the years UIRI has embarked on a path of building the capacity youth training them in adding value to agriculture produce, technology development while also advancing their capacity to innovate, develop products and utilize appropriate technology for entrepreneurship.
To mitigate the youth unemployment rate in Uganda, UIRI targets both illiterate and literate youth as well as the school drop outs. They are then skilled in entrepreneurship, food processing, textile, ceramics, carpentry and fabrication among others are given. This doesn’t not only improve their individual and household income but also Uganda is able to create a tax base that is sustainable.
As Ugandans, let’s look out for such opportunities. As Aldous Huxley says, “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” Our ignorance is costing us as individuals and as a result this affects the country’s economic growth.
