By Prossy Nandudu
Heifer International is set to support youth incubation centers across the country, all intended for job creation for the youth.
This was revealed by Heifer International President Surita Sandosham while visiting the Consortium for Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development (CURAD) on Friday (June 14, 2024) at their offices in Namanve Industrial Park.
Suriat, who is visiting Uganda for the first time as Heifer International President explained that their support will be through equipment but also startup capital.
For the youth to get capital, she said youth with ideas with the potential of turning into an enterprise will be linked to potential funding partners offering microfinancing.
“Am here to see how CURAD is supporting the youths to turn their ideas into enterprises that are creating jobs. We are also looking at offering them working capital by introducing them to individuals and institutions into the business of microfinancing because as Heifer we work with partners to help youth realize their potential,” Suriat said.
While at Namanve, Suriat was impressed by especially youth adding value to pumpkins, making animal feeds, and adding value to milk, and fruits among other products that are packaged and exported to countries like Canada, and the USA.
At the same event, Apollo Segawa, the Executive Director of CURAD explained that as an agribusiness incubator, they have been supporting youth with ideas that are developed into an agribusiness enterprise. He added that so far, the center has trained over 500 incubates.
He however called for financial support from the government and also made it easier for youth to access the funds, apart from Banks.
“Instead of sending the money to the bank, it would have been better to send the money directly to organizations working with the youth to make it easy for the youth to access and make use of the money,” Segawa added.
William Matovu the Country Director Heifer International added that to further support the youth, they are rolling out the “Stimulating Agribusiness for Youth Employment” (SAYE) project starting with Busoga region, to support youth create their own businesses and also creating jobs.
He added that the project aims at empowering 250,000 young people aged 16-35 of which 70% should be females and 3% youth with disabilities.
The five-year project partly supported by the Master Card Foundation is being implemented in the 11 districts of Busoga, which include Jinja, Mayuge, Iganga, Kamuli, Kaliro, Namutumba, Bugweri, Luka, Buyende, Bugiri, and Namayengo.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: The President of Heifer International Suriat Sandosham (extreme 3rd from left) being explained incubated idea for Matoke for export at CURAD offices in Namave June 14, 2024. Photo by Wilfred Sanya
