UGANDA: Youth Get Vocational Training Under Sisters-led Youth Program

Students of Asili Vocational School in Lira city, in group photo after graduation upon completion of their course supported by ARU

Fr Isaac Ojok

The Association of the Religious in Uganda commonly known as ARU is continuing to offer help to the youth in vocational training and other skill development areas.

In Lira Diocese, young people are being supported in courses like brick laying and concrete practice, carpentry and joinery, Electrical engineering, Motor vehicle repair, tailoring, poultry farming, catering and hotel management among others.

The courses are offered within short period of six months and they are awarded certificates from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) upon completion.

From the time of its inception in 2021, many young people in Lira have benefited from the programs and they are living to support themselves in their local vicinity.

At the moment, many are now managing their own businesses; others are employed in hotels, motor garages, and in other areas, which is a sign that the program is creating positive impacts in the communities.

Speaking at the recent graduation ceremony at Bishop Asili Vocational training centre in Lira city, many beneficiaries pledged to use the knowledge and skills they have gained to remain productive and to transform their home and communities.

The short courses are offered in vocational training centres like Asili Girls Vocational School, Brother Conrad Training Centre, Angelo Negri School in Aduku, among others that are spread in Lira Diocese.

Offering short courses to the destitute in Lira is in line with what His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the President of the Republic of Uganda has been advocating from time to time to ensure that those who cannot afford tertiary education institutions are given chance to learn vocational skills.

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