By Adam Gule
The Government has trained 160 youth from five districts of West Nile in agriculture and agribusiness.
This has been under its programme of Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) funded by the European Union through the Office of the Prime Minister.
The three-month training was conducted at Lokopio Hills Technical Institute in Yumbe district, with Obongi, Terego, Koboko, Maracha and host Yumbe the beneficiary districts.
According to Andrew Muhairwe, the coordinator of DINU project at the institute, the youths were trained in three courses: animal health management, tree nursery bed operation and vegetable farming.
After the training, the students sat an examination under the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) where all of them passed well, according to Muhairwe.
Richard Takumira, the instute’s principal, lauded the Government for considering the institution for the training.
He said that due to the available manpower in the institute and commitment by the staff, he rests assured that the students attained quality skills that will help them to live better lives in their societies.
Rasul Luriga, the district education officer of Yumbe, praised the Government and the European Union for the support.
He said many youths have become idle in their communities, which forces them to engage in criminal activity, including robbery.
He believes that training young people will help change attitudes and shape them for the better.
” I think it’s the right way to go if we want to have a well-groomed generation tomorrow.
“Otherwise, the youth out there, especially those not doing any productive activity, have become a threat to the society. They rob us, rape women, break into houses and do a lot of evil activities.”
John Bosco Tumwesigwe, the resident district commissioner of Yumbe, implored the trained youth to put their skills gained to earn a living through agriculture and the value chain.
He also encouraged them to pursue further studies to expand their knowledge and skills.
“Modern life depends on agriculture. You should go back and don’t sit to wait. Start some project immediately and earn income to come out of poverty,” urged Tumwesigwe.
The trained youths expressed their gratitude for the training, and they pledged to apply their skills learnt to improve their lives.
