13/10/2026
A journey that began four months ago at Matany Girls’ Vocational School culminated yesterday in the graduation of 81 women and youth from Morungole and Naperotom Conservancies.
The graduates trained in Building and Construction, Fashion and Design, Hairdressing and Cosmetology, Catering and Bakery, and Tourism and Hospitality. They received provisional certificates and start-up toolkits at a ceremony attended by Kaabong District officials, led by LC5 Chairperson Hon. Lotyang Albert Loris, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen Edema, development partners, local leaders, and community members.
With unemployment and the high cost of living posing challenges for many young people, these practical skills offer graduates an opportunity to pursue employment and start businesses, while enabling them to meet local demand for essential services. To support their transition, the program also included business and financial literacy training, coaching and linkages to financial institutions.
MashinaniWORKS promotes vocational skills development among vulnerable and marginalized communities to expand access to employment and enterprise opportunities. Through Ujuzi Manyattani, 1,752 young people have been trained to date, with 88% securing employment or starting businesses. These economic activities generate income for graduates and contribute approximately KSh 180 million annually to the local economy.
This cross-border milestone extends vocational training to more communities in Uganda. Continued support and monitoring will help ensure that training responds to local skills gaps and emerging market needs and opportunities.
We extend our gratitude to the European Union in Kenya, the European Union in Uganda, through the Northern Rangelands Trust, and our project partners, Uganda Conservation Foundation, Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Forestry Authority and UWRTI-Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, for supporting this initiative.
Alakara noii!
