King Oyo listening to a carpentry student during his recent visit to Crane High School in Entebbe
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I
In a move poised to reshape the educational landscape of Uganda, the Omukama of Toro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba, has underscored the pivotal role of vocational skills training in secondary education.
Speaking at the grand opening of the Crane High School campus in Kawuku trading centre, Entebbe municipality, the king highlighted the initiative as a cornerstone for producing economically empowered citizens.
He pointed out the challenges faced by the youth, including a lack of practical skills and insufficient knowledge in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“The digital space in Uganda is steadily growing, and it is imperative that our youth are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in this environment,” Oyo stated.
The integration of vocational training into the secondary curriculum is seen as a critical step towards ensuring students are not only academically proficient but also possess the practical skills demanded by today’s job market.
“Our aim is to prepare students for real-world challenges, making them not just job seekers but creators,” Oyo added, emphasizing the need for a workforce that is versatile, skilled, and ready to contribute to Uganda’s economic prosperity.
This initiative aligns with Toro Kingdom’s Vision 2045, which prioritizes education, ICT, and agriculture as key drivers of development.
The partnership with Crane High School, which includes scholarships for students from the kingdom, is a testament to the commitment towards achieving these goals. Oyo expressed his gratitude towards Crane High School for their collaboration, which marks a significant step forward in realizing the kingdom’s educational aspirations.
During his visit, the Omukama toured the school’s facilities, including workshops where students gain hands-on experience in various trades.
King Oyo engaged with students and instructors, reinforcing the message that vocational training is essential in addressing Uganda’s high unemployment rates. “By arming our youth with marketable skills, we are enabling them to become entrepreneurs, thereby tackling the unemployment challenge head-on,” he remarked.
The call for vocational training was echoed by James Makoba, a graduate in carpentry from the school, who highlighted the need for government support in providing start-up capital for vocational graduates. This would enable them to establish their own businesses and contribute directly to the economy.
With Uganda’s youth unemployment rate alarmingly high and over 21% of the population living below the national poverty line, according to the World Bank, the push for vocational education is more critical than ever.
It represents a viable path towards lifting the youth out of poverty and equipping them with the skills needed to drive the nation’s development forward.
As Toro Kingdom and its partners like the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) and various NGOs work together, their collaborative efforts are aimed at expanding vocational training programs across the region.
This focus on vocational training is complemented by initiatives to improve access to microfinance and business mentorship, helping young entrepreneurs to navigate the challenges of starting and running a business in Uganda’s dynamic market environment.
By providing both the technical skills for employment and the knowledge to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, these efforts are laying the groundwork for a more self-reliant and economically empowered youth population.
