Ntagali tips youth on job creation

Outgoing Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali has warned youth against using unlawful means to seek employment abroad.

He asked the youth to avoid risking their lives in search for jobs in the Middle East but instead create their own enterprises to generate income.

“Uganda is endowed with fertile land but leaving the country in search for greener pastures is a challenge. Many of our youth who have gone for jobs disappear and others trafficked end up losing their lives,” Archbishop Ntagali said on Friday.

He was speaking at the 5th graduation ceremony of 360 candidates who completed certificate courses in vocational studies at Bbira Vocational Training Institute in Wakiso District. The Archbishop asked parents to embrace vocational studies to build sustainability.

“It is through these courses that we are able to start our own jobs and let us begin influencing our families and communities because once taken, these are life skills,” he said.

The Church of Uganda Provincial Secretary, the Rev Can William Ongeng, said the training of youth under the church-founded institute is a contribution towards economic development, which should be supported. “Skilling the youngsters, especially those from the vulnerable situations should be a deliberate move by the church as the country seeks to elevate to the middle income status. The Church is ready but still capped,” the Rev Can Ongeng said.

Ms Juliet Nankanja Ngabirano, who heads the institute operating under the Church’s Household and Community Transformation directorate, said they had acquired accreditation from the Ministry of Education to start offering business studies and diploma courses starting 2020.

“We are finalising accreditation for a diploma centre to offer diplomas in the different courses. We teach hands-on courses,” Ms Ngabirano said.

7 workers dead
Archbishop Stanley Ntagali’s warning comes months after return of seven bodies of migrant workers who died in the Middle East under unclear circumstances, which prompted authorities to commence investigations.
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