New Vocational Training Centre Opens in Iganga Sub-county
A state-of-the-art vocational training facility has opened in Iganga District, offering 120 youth access to skills in tailoring, carpentry, and welding. The centre is expected to produce 200 graduates annually.
Iganga Sub-county has long faced a challenge familiar to rural Uganda: young people seeking work with no formal trade skills. On March 1, 2026, this changed dramatically with the official opening of the Akoth Community Foundation Vocational Training Centre.
Located strategically in Iganga town, the centre boasts: - 12 fully equipped tailoring stations with industrial sewing machines - 8 carpentry benches with complete tool sets - A welding workshop with safety certification (exceeds national standards) - A 50-seat classroom for theory and business management training - A demonstration kitchen for food preparation entrepreneurship - Computers and internet access for digital skills training
The inaugural intake of 120 youth (60% female, 40% male) began training immediately. The programme runs for three months, with graduates receiving: - Industry-recognized certificates - A starter toolkit (sewing machines, carpentry tools, or welding equipment) - Business mentorship for 12 months post-graduation - Linkages to microfinance institutions for equipment loans
"This is a game-changer for our district. Young people now have a real pathway to self-employment," said Robert Muwonge, the Iganga District LC5 Chairperson.
ACFL is aiming to graduate 200 youth from this centre annually, with plans to establish satellite centres in Mayuge and Kaliro sub-counties by 2027.
The centre was made possible through generous grants from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and donations from private foundations and individual supporters.