Gulu City | October 19, 2025
The State House has continued its efforts to build financial management capacity among leaders of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub SACCOs, urging them to handle funds responsibly and invest wisely.
During a training session held at the Acholi Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Gulu City, State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, advised SACCO members to only apply for loans when they are prepared to invest responsibly and have clear business plans.
“First, have a plan for what you want to use the money for don’t just get it. Without a plan, this money will not achieve what it’s intended for,” Ms. Barekye cautioned.
The training brought together SACCO leaders, members, district commercial officers, and local government officials from Acholi, West Nile, and Lango sub-regions. It follows President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recent support of Shs8.8 billion to SACCOs under the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, with each SACCO receiving Shs50 million in start-up capital to empower trained youth.
Ms. Barekye emphasized that the sustainability of the initiative depends on discipline, hard work, and transparency in fund management.
“If the funds are well utilized, President Museveni has promised to add more money to your SACCOs,” she noted.
She also appealed to parents of beneficiaries to guide their children in managing funds productively and avoiding misuse.
Meanwhile, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, encouraged unity and teamwork among SACCO members, stressing that collaboration will enable them to access larger loans and undertake bigger projects.
“We shall start to get bigger loans if you work together and have big projects. Always keep in touch with each other and with us so that we can follow up and offer support where needed,” he advised.
Eng. Kamugisha further called on District Commercial Officers to support trained youth in registering companies so they can compete for local government tenders.
The training also featured sessions by Mr. Joseph Lutalo from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and Mr. Abdallah Aziz Apat from Post Bank, who urged participants to maintain communication, share business ideas, and adopt best practices for enterprise growth.
Success Stories
The impact of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs continues to be felt across Northern Uganda:
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Jacqueline Ayubu, a former student of the Acholi Hub, now runs a successful shoe-making business, earning up to Shs50,000 daily.
“I used to earn only Shs5,000 a day from selling produce, but after joining the hub, I gained skills that changed my life,” she said.
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Onek Peter, trained in welding and metal fabrication, owns a workshop at Layibi Centre, earning about Shs500,000 monthly while training other youth.
“I dropped out of school because my parents couldn’t afford fees, but the skills I gained here have given me a livelihood,” he shared.
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Mwaka Emmanuel Edgar, a graduate in tailoring, operates a workshop in Kitgum Town, employs two workers, and saves about Shs600,000 monthly.
“This opportunity helped me acquire practical skills that now sustain me and others,” he said.
The ongoing trainings are part of a nationwide effort by State House to ensure the sustainability of the government’s empowerment programs by equipping SACCO members and leaders with financial literacy and business management skills.
