Over 150 post-Covid young mothers graduate in Sironko

Sironko, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Over 150 girls under 18 years old, from various sub-counties in Sironko district, who became pregnant during the COVID-19 lockdown, successfully graduated on Monday after completing vocational training. Some of these girls received bursaries from Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira, the Budadiri East constituency member of parliament in Sironko district.

Others were sponsored by their parents at St. Catherine Vocational School. Umar Kiswiriri, the Qualifications Officer in the Directorate of Industrial Training under the Ministry of Education and Sports, who was the chief guest, urged parents to motivate their children to pursue vocational courses.

He noted that while the government cannot employ all these youths, it can attract investors to establish factories that could provide employment opportunities. He also argued that government programs like the Youth Livelihood Program and PDM can offer capital for these youths to start their businesses.

Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira emphasized the pressing challenge of youth unemployment, noting that 99% of youths aspire to limited white-collar jobs. He proposed the construction of more vocational schools and the enhancement of existing ones to attract more youths to enroll. Wanzira encouraged the graduates to form groups, pledging to support each group with Shillings 500,000 and fostering a collaborative environment for their future endeavors.

Evelyn Nafula, a councilor representing Kama Town Council in Sironko district urged fellow parents to promote vocational courses. She explained that these courses empower graduates to initiate their businesses rather than solely seeking employment, potentially even becoming employers themselves. Catherine Nabuzale, a graduate in tailoring, expressed her joy, stating her intention to start sewing clothes to earn income and support her child.

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