U N L E A S H I N G YO U T H E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P I N U G A N D A

MEET SAMUEL
TAILORING & DESIGN
GERESOM
NAKODAH
RICE SCHEME
FARMER

MILLIONS
DEPOT
BUSINESS

BECOME
A SHOP
OWNER

OVER
75,000
young people trained in
entrepreneurship skills.

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

Entrepreneures
 ILO DIRECTOR

T
he ILO is a specialised UN creating jobs for other people has been
agency whose primary goal under implementation in Uganda since
is to promote opportunities 2010, initially with DANIDA support and
for women and men to later with support from European Union
obtain decent and productive (EU).
work in conditions of freedom, equity,
security and human dignity. The ILO is T h e W o m e n ’s E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
the only ‘tripartite’ UN agency that brings Development and Economic
together representatives of governments, Empowerment (WEDEE) project
employers (private sector) and workers equipped female youth and women with
(including civil society) to collectively entrepreneurship skills to enable them
shape policies and programmes start and run businesses profitably.
promoting decent employment Sustainable enterprises not only provide
opportunities for all. decent self-employment for female youth
about also increase participation of
Unemployment especially remains a women in the labour market and promote
challenge not only in Uganda but in gender equality in the world of work.
the world as a whole. In Uganda, the
unemployment stands at 9.4 per cent The ILO is also supporting the government
while youth unemployment at 6.5 per of Uganda to develop national
cent according to 2015 School to Work apprenticeship framework to ensure all
Transition Survey. In addition to the apprenticeship programmes are delivered
significant unemployment figures, the consistently and to agreed standards.
country has a large informal sector and The focus on apprenticeship is mainly
a high concentration of unemployment in because it remains an effective avenue
low-paying and low productive agriculture in tackling youth unemployment.
as well and labour market characterised
by acute underemployment especially In addition the ILO is also supporting the
in the rural areas. It is also important to government of Uganda to conduct an
MARY KAWAR highlight that despite the relatively stable employment diagnostic analysis (EDA).
ILO DIRECTOR economy for the past 20 years and several The objective of the EDA is to generate
EAST AFRICA macro-economic reforms, this has not stakeholders understanding on job-rich
generated enough decent and productive inclusive economic growth and just
jobs to absorb the high population growth. structural transformation as well as
identify sectors and inter-sectoral linkages
In trying to address the issue of of strategic importance for job-rich growth
unemployment in the country, the ILO in and investment.
Uganda has been active for many years,
supporting the government of Uganda Conclusively, ILO remains committed
though a number of projects that are to supporting the government and its
geared towards employment. These constituents in addressing issues on
projects include; employment in the country. We want to
thank all the development partners for
The Youth Entrepreneurship Facility the financial support, the government of
(YEF) project that aims at contributing to Uganda and all partners for their continued
creation of decent work for youth mainly support in reducing the unemployment
by unleashing their entrepreneurship problem.
skills as a means to self-employment and

1 My Skills My Power
EUROPEAN UNION
SUPPORTS YOUTH
IN UGANDA
mainly on urban and peri-urban centres (BDS) to finance component, 256 new BDS
in the 11 selected districts these are; trainers (146 males and 110 females) were
Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Oyam, developed through Training of Trainers
Gulu, Kitgum, Arua, Nebbi and Zombo. programmes and 112 of them were
certified. As a result of the BDS training,
In December 2016, the project will over 6,000 young entrepreneurs were
be coming to an end. Nevertheless trained in entrepreneurship and business
we acknowledge the tangible and management skills by August 2016. In
commendable successes achieved in addition, the YEF project has offered
Uganda. By 2016, over 500,000 youth were mentorship and counselling sessions to
reached through media platforms such 30 mentoring clubs with approximately
as TV series on UBC aimed at increasing 8-10 young people per group. From these
entrepreneurship merits awareness to the sessions beneficiaries were equipped
young men and women. An assessment with not only knowledge for starting and
on the impact of the program was later managing their businesses but also with
conducted which showed out of the 138 skills and abilities to identify local mentors,
selected respondents, 41 (30%) were recruit their peers with whom they would
able to start businesses based on the attend the mentoring sessions as well
information they had received from the as establish long lasting businesses
TV program while 23 respondents (17%) relationships.
of the respondents used the knowledge
acquired to improve their business. On the Furthermore, YEF project established
entrepreneurship education component, strong partnerships with financial
a national entrepreneurship syllabus and intermediaries and micro-finance
teacher’s guide for in business, technical institutions with eight local SACCOS
and vocational, education and training namely; Nakanyoni SACCO, Mafubira
schools students at Certificate level were SACCO, Kitgum SACCO, All Saints SACCO,
developed and finalized. Alutkot SACCO, Nyaravur SACCO, Katine
Jealous Chirove SACCO and Pangisa SACCO and signed
On the youth to youth fund, 62 youth agreements to provide finances in the
ILO Employment Specialist
Dar es Salaam organizations were organised and form of loans to selected youth. By August
provided with entrepreneurship training to 2016, at least 900 youth had already
help them develop youth entrepreneurship accessed loans.
solutions. These youth groups from the
districts of Kampala (13), Jinja (6), Mbale These significant milestones attained as a

T
(7), Soroti (7), Gulu (4), Kitgum (4) Nebbi result of the project are a great indication
he Youth Entrepreneurship (5), Oyam (5), Lira (6) Arua (4) and Zombo that youth economic empowerment is
Facility (YEF) funded by the (1) received grants by December 2015. being made visible. I take this opportunity
European Union in Uganda, Also, six youth projects out of the eighteen to thank the Government of Uganda for
seeks to support young men that had earlier been successfully piloted their sincere commitments to the project.
and women unleash their from the districts of Kampala (2), Jinja (2), We thank the European Union for their
potential and skills in entrepreneurship Mbale (1) and Gulu (1) were selected and financial support to the young men and
to create decent jobs for themselves and awarded grants for up-scaling. women in Uganda as well as all our
fellow youth. The project has focused partners for working tirelessly to unleash
On the Business Development Service the full potential of youth in Uganda.

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 2

 ENTREPRENEURSHIP,
THE WAY TO GO FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE

T
he overall objective of the evidence based advocacy, competitive
Youth Entrepreneurship grant schemes and enabling youth
Facility (YEF) is to contribute access business development services
to creation of decent work for and finance. The stories from the young
young people in consistent people that I have interacted with and read
with the National Development Plan about are very exciting as you see them
(NDPII) 2015/2016- 2019/2020 and appreciate the value, power and magic of
Uganda Vision 2040. entrepreneurship.

Youth employment creation is a very In my Position as the Chairperson of the

critical undertaking that has taken National Advisory Committee of YEF,
on two important strands; promotion I have seen a number of young people
of self-employment and quality skills coming up with very creative business
development. Investing in quality human ideas and I keep encouraging them to
capital is a strategic Investment of the think even more to fit in the country’s
Government of Uganda because we know economic transformation and growth.
that no country can ever be better than In such an environment, there is a lot
the quality of the human capital stock- the youth can do in terms of processing,
hence the emphasis on education and manufacturing and/or service provision.
skills development. On the other hand, we
need like ever before to enable our young This time round, I would like us to promote
people access seed capital for them to be the global Sustainable Development Goals
able to invest, create jobs and wealth and especially goal 8 that promotes decent
escape the poverty trap. work for all, this will highly contribute to
the reduction of poverty standards from
In fighting unemployment, all players 19% to below 15 %. We are committed to
in Uganda are guided by the National continued support to the young people
Employment Policy for Uganda 2011 and also increase focus on youth with
whose theme is “Increasing employment disabilities, have them get decent and
opportunities and Labour productivity meaningful employment, “Which is the
Kyateka F. Mondo for socio- economic transformation” way to go for young people in Uganda”.
Government is aware that it cannot fight
Assistant Commissioner Youth Affairs unemployment and poverty alone hence We have done quite many things but
Chairperson of the National Advisory the firm belief in Public Private Partnership the greatest of all is taming the fangs
Committee - YEF principle; policy and law. of poverty and bringing a ray of hope,
resilience and socio-economic safety
The Youth Entrepreneurship Facility in to our young people. This can only be
Uganda with financial support from the achieved through the concerted efforts of
European Union since 2014 has worked us all. We must at all times remember that
tirelessly to augment Government efforts vulnerability of anybody in our community
through its interventions; to promote is vulnerability of all of us- your personal
entrepreneurship culture, education, commitment matters; take action now!

3 My Skills My Power
FROM THE ILO
KAMPALA DESK

F
ruits that have been harnessed out of their individual efforts. This is how
out to the International Labour the YEF came in handy.
Organization – European Union
partnership through the Youth Through the Youth to Youth Fund, the
Entrepreneurship Facility (YEF) grants dispensed to youth groups have
illustrate that development is not just a borne tangible fruits that will be visible
common transformation. Meaningful for many years to come. The prevailing
development has liberated the energies of narrative among the benefiting youth
youth and given them leeway to exercise is that this success can be replicated
their innovativeness and the support that elsewhere, provided the youth can dare
it takes to break the chain of lack of it. to dream. This is likely to generate a
massive drift to sustainable development,
The Youth Entrepreneurship Facility bearing in mind the fact that the youth
(YEF) has performed extremely well in form the bulk of Uganda’s population. If
Uganda drawing extensively on the “buy- they are to be rescued from the doldrums
in” from government, social partners and of poverty, collaborative efforts between
other stakeholders. Great appreciation development partners have to be upped.
should be extended to the voluntary
National Advisory Committee (NAC) The development of innovative strategies
that has steered the implementation of to sustain the various programme
YEF through its continuous guidance and work streams has been a success
quality support. over the years. Partnerships have
been consolidated and the continuous
Working with, and through the ILO involvement of sponsoring, knowledge
constituents, all implementing partners and implementing partners as a strategy
and other stakeholders has led to to reach scale and mobilize additional
great results, with emphasis being resources should continue.
Robert Mawanda on institutional capacity building and
enhancement in addition to offering The success of YEF has been due to the
National Programme Coordinator support towards youth organizations continuous support from the ILO country
Youth Entrepreneurship Facility with a mandate to reach out to young office in Dar es Salam, the different ILO
Programme entrepreneurs. Youth need tools to work projects in the Uganda field office and
with as they venture into the overly the ILO-YEF Kampala team. Without
competitive world of business; they need this support the story would have been
seed capital, motivation and role models different.
to show them that they can harvest fruits

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 4

 Success Stories

Julian
makes it to University
through her
home based saloon

The marketing skills I learnt have enabled

Limara Julian a 22 year old born in Gulu, she is the 4th born me market my saloon to my fellow
in a family of 9. All of her older siblings are out of school and university students and as I speak the
number of customers has increased and
working while all of her younger siblings are still going to l am earning good money. ‘‘l use part of
school. Her mother is a peasant farmer and her father is a it to pay my tuition at the university . I
Carpenter who owns a work shop. have further learnt how to keep proper

“l
and clear records for my business and
improved financial management. I am
had an opportunity to be trained for 3 of my siblings who are still in school. not worried about unemployment after
in how to start your business in Before training I always had this big dream the university, as l have bigger plans to
2014, since I had passion and to become a hair dresser in Gulu town, expand my saloon and employ 4 more
interest in hair dressing, I started through my friends I got to learn about female youths. I encourage my fellow
up a saloon at home. During the the training on how to start your business youth not to give up on their dreams.’’
week l receive 2-4 customers daily, and the that empowers youth with the right set
number of customers increases during of skills to become entrepreneurs. I was ‘’I encourage my fellow youth not to give
the weekends. Through hair dressing I motivated to apply for the training, this up on their dreams’’
have started achieving my dream because gave me a lot of courage to take an extra
l am at the Gulu University currently and step to start business as a hair dresser.’’ Limara Julian
supporting my parents to pay school fees Gulu District

5 My Skills My Power
 Success Stories

Geoffrey
drops alcohol drinking
and focuses on
entrepreneurship!

take alcohol like before. I

Geoffrey lives in Gulu town, “l was very eager to learn about business have the ability to care for
and how one can run a good business. My life before was so messy the customers very well who
now appreciate the services.
and troubled that l resorted to drinking alcohol. But I did not gain a lot
from drinking, my problems did not go away. One evening as I was The message l have for fellow
listening to radio I heard about this program and another friend also youth is to drop alcohol, most
especially here in Northern
shared with me on how he benefited from this training on how to start Uganda where so many
your business. youth like the alcohol sachets

I
which are not good because
it contains a lot of chemicals
was trained and got the a day. Making savings of
which are not good for one’s
skills on how to start and 30,000 a day, i have been I now save my money in
health.’’
improve your business. able to buy 2 more cameras. the bank, l am in position to
With the skills l acquired, I have employed one youth carter for my basic needs
‘’Fellow youth, drop Alcohol,
started my own photo who is riding my boda boda and also pay my bills. A lot
think of starting a business
studio offering photography and I make between 35,000/- has changed in my life, I
and change your life’’
services. My business has 25,000/- per day and realized now have the capacity to
now prospered and I can more sales out of these two make more savings in my Geoffrey
earn up to 150,000 shillings initiatives. business because I no longer Gulu District

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 6

 A growing role
model entrepreneur
in Kitgum Town

Brain lives in Ayul ‘A’ pager kitgum district, is married with children. ‘‘I have a big number of
dependents as i am taking care of my late brother’s children’’. Brain completed a certificate in
plumbing but due to the nature of work in the district one can barely find employment to provide
plumbing services. ‘‘I decided to open up a retail shop but I was having a lot of challenges,
around financial management, recording keeping, stocking taking and pricing. I learnt about ILO
from the internet and but further got more information about the trainings through the labour
office at the district.

of skills on how to make my business wife to run the shop while am not there
better; finance management, how to re- and l am happy to say she is doing it very
invest the finances back into the business, well because in a month we are able to
how to package, how to not to burden my make sells worth 6- 7 million shillings. On
business so much and more importantly the side of agri -business I buy sim-sim
was how to evaluate if the business is and ground nuts add value and sell as an
growing or making profits and my linkages improved product.
to sources of finances has also changed.
‘‘Well the message I have to fellow youth
After the training l went back and is Entrepreneurship is the way to go. If I
reorganized my business and I applied had waited for plumbing jobs in Kitgum I
the knowledge and skills that I acquired. would be one the most frustrated youth
From the first training experience I also yet I have lots of dependents to take care
applied for more training opportunities of. ‘I encourage my fellow youth here in
and I have just completed a training of kitgum to always go for such trainings so

T
trainers. This training has changed my that they will gain more skills on how to
he training package greatly mind so much and thinking and now I am start up a business other than being idle.’’
motivated me and I learnt completely different person who is yet to
how to start a business and do so many amazing things. “I can now make a business plan for any
how to make a business plan. type of business”
At the moment, I can make a The skills l gained helped me continue to
business plan for any kind of business. venture into more businesses, and I have
When I attended the training l learnt so started agri-business buying and selling Brian Vincent Odokonyero
much about business and got a number produce and I have also empowered my - Kitgum Town

7 My Skills My Power
 Success Stories

Nursery Trees
Fruit Project

K
asanke Geoffrey is a Graduate and organized myself and decided to
of Agriculture from Busoga specialize in growing seedling of oranges.
University. “My life was not easy
before and after I completed The nature of seedlings I produce are
university. I used to spend the the improved type, they are a mixture of
whole day playing cards at the trading lemons and oranges and they produce a
centre. Much as I would do farming but very good size of oranges which can be
not with the passion I have now. After sold at 2000 shillings each. I am happy to
some time I started making a nursery say the market is available with NAADS
bed with a number of fruits since I had a who will need so many seedlings for this
degree in Agriculture and trying to look for type of oranges in March next year and I
jobs here and there but I did not find a job. will sell each seedling at 2,000shilling. The
David Katendri is one of the trainers with challenge is the stock I have in my garden
ILO who always saw what I was doing, he is not enough as compared to the order
noticed I needed business skills training. that NAADs placed. The other challenge is
when we are preparing to make the lemon
When the training was going to take seedlings we have a lot of lemon juice that
place he informed me about it and he is wasted yet this juice can be used as a
encouraged me to go because he had beverage in the food processing. I lack
seen the gaps I had in regards to my the skills on how to add value to lemon
business, so l learnt how to save and juice and make money out it.”
business planning. I happened to attend
the training that I found very meaningful
and empowering to me as a young person. Kasanke Geoffrey
After the training I got back to the farm - Jinja District

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 8

 The sustainable
development goal 8;
promotes inclusive and sustainable
development, economic growth,
employment and descent work for all.

I
n the past decade, Uganda has
experienced strong GDP growth,
averaging 7% annually, but this has not
generated jobs, a trend seen across
the continent. Lack of employment
is causing some young people to take
risks. Last July, 36 young people, who
had been running motorcycle taxis, were
burnt to death as they tried to siphon fuel
from a truck that had been involved in an
accident.

And some young women are taking jobs

overseas only to find themselves forced
into prostitution, according to Ugandan
police. “Every month, we get reports of
over 20 Ugandans stranded seeking
help. If the figure is multiplied in a year, it
comes to over 250 Ugandans stranded
abroad every year,” says Moses Binoga,
co-ordinator of the Anti-human Trafficking
National Task Force.

9 My Skills My Power
 Success Stories

Training and
Designing shop
in Lira Market

S
amuel owns a tailoring and
design shop in the main market
in Lira district. “I’m a teacher by
profession and hold a Diploma
in Education. What inspired me
to start tailoring design shop was; I went
to the bank (Centenary) as I was waiting
to be served, I got to know about this
upcoming training where youths were to
be trained in business development skills
and how to improve your business if you
were already running one.

Being a youth and knowing the challenges

people face in the teaching professional
go through, I wanted to have something
that can make me live a better life (making
new money every day) other than waiting
to earn salary at the end of the month.
When I attended this training, learnt how
to start my business and this did not take
me so long to start.

Currently i am running a tailoring and

design shop, where l am using my
teaching skills to train other youth in
designing and tailoring skills especially
the females who have failed to continue
with their education due to a number of
reasons. I look forward to employing more
youths at my shop to help me train other
female youths.’’

“I look forward to employing more female

youth”
Samuel
- Lira District

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 10

 Success Stories

Boniface
becomes Youth
Chairperson through
ENTREPRENEURSHIP!

O
mara Boniface is a born in back after the five days trainings started
lira: ‘‘I live in Kakobe village seeing things differently, reorganized my
and my life was not the best business and I started taking records and
as a youth. I faced a number paying attention to the total sales made
of challenges which l thought per day and would notice a difference in
l would never overcome. The life of my the daily sales.
business was at stake and I got to learn
about the business skills training from My profit margin has increased and I have
centenary bank that works in partnership managed to expand my shop and it has
with the labor office at the district got a lot of products. In my village l am a
headquarters. The training was calling role model for many youths who always
upon youth to come and participate in ask me about business related issues and
business skills development which I felt keep asking me how l made it to where
I should not miss since I had faced a l am today. I have shared about my life
number of challenges with my business story, and how through business skills
and I wanted it to become better. training l got to realize my dream. And the
Omara Boniface youth have entrusted me to become their
- Kakobe village During the training I met a number of leader since I understand what it means
other youths who have businesses but for a youth to lack income to acquire basic
are facing of challenges and I felt I was not needs. I use my position as a chairperson
alone. As people shared their experiences, to talk to youths who are not employed
I learnt so much and what was more to start-up businesses however small. I
exciting is the modules we learnt about, have also purchased a motor cycle and I
business planning and record keeping have opened up a construction company
which was my biggest challenges as well too. Entrepreneurship is the way to go for
as financial management .When I went the youth.

11 My Skills My Power
 Success Stories

The Power of
Saving enabled
Christine
start up a her boutique

L
Lemparcho Christine emparcho Christine lives in Nebbi My business capital has grown to 3 million
- Nebbi District district, ‘‘I completed school shillings and l intend to continue growing
and I could hardly find formal it to about 5 million shillings. l acquired
employment and I thought of skills of effective business management
something to do. I had some little that have enabled me manage the
savings and sold the family farm animals business very well much as I borrow from
to raise more money. I started with capital our savings scheme.
of 300,000 shillings and bought second
hand clothes that I was vending at that l am fully employed by the boutique, I have
time. been in position to support my siblings
who are still going to school by providing
I underwent training and learnt a number them with scholastic materials and also
of skills that supported me to improve my employed my sister to support me while l
business idea, I started saving money with am away. My message to fellow youths is
a local scheme that provided me with a that “There is power in saving at whatever
loan to expand my business. I have been level one can be able access capital to
able to borrow 3 times to add more capital start or improve one’s business. So they
into my business. I started initially with should not underestimate themselves
second hand clothes but now I have since most young people cannot access
added more products like shoes for ladies capital from the big banks and these
and school going children requirements, days to get a loan you must have started
hand bags, belts and money purses for something.
both men and women.

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 12

29
Great Female
Entrepreneur
at 29 years

H
arriet is 29 years old and grey areas and added more products into
a single mother who lives the business. Some of these products
in Nebbi district as well as included water, soda, juices and beer.
graduate of social work and Currently l am selling products at a whole
social administration. “I had sale level and making more sells and
a dream to start business in my home profits. At the end of the month, I make
town. With minimal capital, I started sales worth15 million and I have been
this business and was dealing in only able to employ 2 permanent and 2 causal
one product and would not really care workers who are all youths. My profits
about my customers because I thought have grown I have been able to open up
it was all about the money. At the end of another business like mobile money which
the month I would earn around 6 million also helps me transact my business deals.
shillings. Later along the way I attended For example my customers can send
the training on how to start and improve me money using mobile money as they
your business. purchase goods especially those that are
A friend told with me about the ILO training far. My fellow women out there who have
and she encouraged me to attend since I business ideas should not fear starting
was already doing business so that I could because once you are focused, you can
learn how to improve my business to make be able to look out for such trainings;
Harriet Kayampatho more money. During the training I met a where one is empowered with the right
- Nebbi District lot of people sharing their experiences set of skills. A lot has changed in my
and it just felt like it was the right place life and l am now building a house for
for me. The skills acquired during this myself. That is what we call the power
training empowered me to come up with of Entrepreneurship.
a bigger business plan, improved on my

13 My Skills My Power
9
Success Stories

Entrepreneurship
takes the trend in
Zombo District

I
live in Paidha town and started my to grow my profits. When I got back
business in 2011. I used not to care reorganized myself to ensure I apply the
and always took things for granted to skills I had learnt therefore improved on
the extent that I used to open the shop how to care for my customers and keep
late and wouldn’t mind if customers the. I also improved my time management
came and found my shop locked or not. and started opening early enough.
Generally I did not know what to do with
my business, and that made life very I started saving at local level as well as
challenging. with the bank through which I have grown
my capital and also have managed to buy
In my life before the training, I was poor a piece of land. I also have bigger plans to
at records management. I used to give start construction in the future. Female
customers goods on credit and would not youth should start small also note that
really care and demand for the payments capital is not only money but your brain.
and ended up making very many losses.
The capital I had was not that much and ‘‘My call to the Government is that
cared less about customers by coming young people need support to have their
late or any day I felt like. But when I capacity built with skills to either improve
underwent the training, I realized that or start up their business in order to cub
Wanchani Vanessa Irene I was doing business the wrong way unemployment.
- Zombo District therefore had to put things right in order

D
avid lives in Zombo district. works making shoes and bags. The
At 27 years, David was very objective of this association is to create
jobless and was doing nothing income out of the business and provide
and hardly earned any money. employment opportunities for my fellow
‘‘The biggest challenge is when disabled youth.
you are disabled, people don’t appreciate
you and you can’t find employment. I The skills gained during the training were
decided to open up my business and great and we have applied them to the
currently I have a shop selling second association business. We managed to win
clothes in the market. We got to know a grant from the Youth livelihood program
about the training from the town council and used the money to purchase more raw
of which I applied for and was successful. materials like shoe soles, glue and leather
‘‘ materials. We have started working and
‘‘This training empowered me with skills the business is now running although we
and l learnt how to manage my business still encounter a few challenges. I keep
better for example bringing new items in supporting my team members on how
business, how to attract customers and to manage the business.
how to display goods. We have come up
with an association for disabled persons I appeal to the youth out there that even if
called SOLA Disabled Association after you are disabled, that does not limit your
David Dateno
the training. We are dealing in leather dream.
- Zombo District

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 14

Business
From Shop

Owner
Attendant to
Business Owner

G
umak Akbar is married with The skills I gained during the training The opportunity we have here is my
one child was born in Arua helped to organize my business, make a business is located on the highway and
district. ‘‘I used to be so idle bigger business plan started keeping all being near southern Sudan. Market is
in my village playing cards the records for the business and saving available and youth can do so many
the whole day and wasted a money. With increased the profit margins, types of businesses here in Arua to
lot of time. When I attended the training I have plans to move into wholesale in improve their incomes. However the
on business skills development, I started the future. My business has expended biggest challenge is most youth are not
working for someone as a shop attendant. and opened up a saloon next door and I informed and empowered with business
Through this experience I got to learn all also have plans to open up mobile money management skills, and this places most
the service providers. And later when I business. Currently l am employing 4 of their businesses at risk. So l call upon
opened up my own shop, since l had a youths people that am empowering with Government to support youth by creating
good working relationship with them. business skills and I would like them to opportunities to have them trained in
They managed to trust me and others open up their own shops in the future to business development, so that they can
even gave me goods on credit.’’ bring development into this community. create their own jobs!
Gumak Akbar
- Arua district

15 My Skills My Power
 Success Stories

Young Rice
Scheme Farmer

Geresom Nakadah studies at Livingstone

University in Mbale. “I lost my father,
dropped out of school and stayed home
unemployed. My mother could not
manage to pay my fees because she
is just a farmer in Gweri Sub- County in
Amusha 1 village Soroti district. I started
the rice growing business with an aim of
going back to school, since I had a lot
of desire to start my own business. My
friend informed me about this training in
business skills since I had a plan to open
up a business. After the training I opened
up the rice business to enable me to pay
school fees.’’

“I encourage my fellow youth out there

to start doing business, because with

‘‘A
business one can be able to achieve
t the beginning it wasn’t got a scholarship and am now in my first their dreams and make good money
easy, but l was motivated. year at the university. The rice project is that will improve their livelihoods. When
I had the knowledge and promising, my sister and l, have been in such training are organized youth should
the motivation, and in position to employ more youth who come always attend them to acquire skills on
order to raise more capital, to the farm and work as causal laborers how one can manage or improve the life
I partnered with my cousin-sister. We during the weeding and harvest time. Paid of their business. My future plan is to be
have now managed to grow rice on 1.5 at the end of every job they do. The money one the biggest rice growers because the
arces.’’ The opportunities I have got to I earn from the farming helps to meet my market is available and am not worried
know more people and along the way I other university requirements. about employment after university.’’

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 16

 Success Stories

Turkey Raring

orot
Business in Soroti

Ockai Emmanuel
- Soroti District

O
ckai Emmanel lives in Soroti motivated me most to start this business get from the turkeys will support me pay
with his wife and children. ‘‘I of turkey farming . I did not have much school fees for my children and also help
happen to have lost my job capital but started small, the number of me to save for the bigger projects.’’
and life was most challenging turkeys has now increased. Recently I sold
during that time, I could barely off 25 pairs to Barclays bank of Soroti at Youth out there should take nothing
support my family. I had never thought a cost of 50,000/- per pair. for granted. The skills I learnt from the
of having extra income, one thing I have training are very empowering and I have
learnt is never to depend on only one The key benefit from this business is when continued to talk to my fellow youth at
source of income.”’ I sell two birds am done with a child’s my place of work; those that come for
school fees. ‘‘l am excited and would like counselling, to start up small business
The time i heard about this training I to continue with this business. Out of to lead better livelihoods.”
was doing nothing. l attended it, l learnt my saving I would like to buy more land
many skills and business planning is what and buy more 65 turkeys. The income I

17 My Skills My Power
 Success Stories

The power of
decision making

Amuri Mukasa
- Mbale District

A
muri is 33 years and married
with a wife and children,
“My life was not good at all,
I could barely afford to look
after my children and wife,
moreover I would waste time doing
nothing. That is when I learnt about this
business skills training through a Civil
Society Organization. This training was
a life changing situation in my life since
I always wanted to learn about business
skills training. What motivated me was
that one can start small with any amount
of money.
When I went back home after the training
I had 200,000/- in the house and I decided
made this kind of money in a short time month I get 10 trays making me earn
to buy 100 kroilers and all the required
of 3 months. I bought more birds (260 more extra income of 240,000/-. When I
tools all together it cost me 600,000/- .
chicks) but the challenge was, l was not apply the skills I learnt from the training
After 3 months of raring the chicken, in
very knowledgeable by raring this type of I have managed to grow my business to
August I sold my first chicken at 20,000
chicken and most of them died. Much as another level.
each and made 2,000,000/- . When I
this challenge came in I did not give up. I encourage my fellow youth to start small
My capacity in poultry farming improved and never to fear, always take decisions
and also added turkeys since they don’t when one wants to start a business. I
die easily like chicken. As I speak now never regret to have used the 200,000/-
things have changed, the layers are to start business. I have a lot of plans as
now laying eggs and each egg is sold at a person to expand my business further. I
800/- shillings and a tray costs 24,000 have now started the brick laying business
/- as compared to the other eggs. In a and have employed two other youths who
I work with to produce the bricks.

Youth Entrepreneurship Facility Uganda 18

 Success Stories

Tree growing

J
eremiah was born in Bukedia ‘‘I am currently running a business of bar
district, but currently living and restaurant and for this business to do
in Mbale. “My life as a youth well am applying the knowledge and skill
was not good at all and faced I learnt. Customer care is key in my type
a number of challenges. My of business. On a good day I make sell s
biggest fear was where to get resources of 250,000 from the bar and on a bad day
to start business. I have a friend who is a I make 100,000/-. Besides this business
youth mentor and works at TASO in Mbale, I have also opened up another business
he is the one who motivated to attend this in my home village. I have supported my
training on business skills development. young brothers and sisters to go back to
I went back and mobilized more youths school because am in position to pay their
to come and attend this training, being a school fees.’’
young person I had a lot of passion to learn
about new things. What scored highly The other extra skills I have gained is
for me during the training was how one to talk to my fellow youth to start doing
can develop a business plan, budgeting, business enterprises to overcome poverty
and how to carry out a feasibility study in their lives. Have encouraged them to
Jeremaih before starting a business. The skills learn start small and will make more money
- Mbale district empowered me so much, and I was so along the way as the business grow.
excited about doing business and so The message I have to the government
much as changed in my life. it to support youth by providing training
opportunities because to me knowledge
is power.

19 My Skills My Power
 International Labour Organisation
Uganda Office Plot 20, Bazarabusa Drive, Bugolobi
Tel: +256 414 223 231
P.O. Box 7184, Kampala, Uganda

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA