Ibanda Youth, Women Urged to Turn Jua-Kali Equipment into Businesses

Youth and women in Ibanda District have been urged to turn government-provided sewing machines and salon equipment into income-generating businesses, as officials assess the impact of the Jua-Kali Programme on efforts to tackle unemployment and improve household livelihoods.

The call was made by Ibanda Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Mbetegyerize during a monitoring and evaluation exercise for the programme in Rwenkobwa Town Council and Kijongo Sub-county.

Mbetegyerize commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government for supporting practical skills training, urging beneficiaries to embrace creativity and use the opportunities to become self-reliant rather than depend on formal employment.

The Jua-Kali Programme, implemented under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, provided about 15 sewing machines and three sets of salon equipment to help school dropouts and women acquire practical skills and earn a living.

During the exercise, officials monitored three tailoring groups—Rwenkobwa Tailoring, Rwambu Tailoring and Rwakabango Tailoring—to assess their progress and how they were using the equipment provided.

Karungi Janet, a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer under the programme, pledged continued support for girls and women seeking to acquire skills in tailoring and salon work.

Mbetegyerize thanked the government for supporting the groups, saying the initiative had positively affected the lives of beneficiaries. He urged them to use the equipment effectively, embrace creativity and turn their skills into sustainable sources of income.

Ibanda District Labour Officer Ahimbisibwe Reticia called on the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to conduct regular monitoring to ensure the equipment is properly used and the programme achieves its intended objectives.

The beneficiaries welcomed the support, thanking the government and President Museveni for providing sewing machines and salon equipment, which they said had helped them acquire practical skills and improve their livelihoods.