By : Our Reporter

A total of 72 refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement have graduated with vocational skills and received startup kits after successfully completing a six-month skills development programme aimed at promoting self-reliance and improving livelihoods.

The graduation ceremony, held at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement on Wednesday, saw 54 trainees graduate from Kiryandongo Technical Institute, while 18 completed their training at Kigumba Innovative College.

The graduates were trained in six vocational disciplines: Agriculture, Hairdressing, Tailoring and Garment Cutting, Carpentry and Joinery, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Electrical Installation.

The programme was implemented by Windle International Uganda to equip refugees with practical skills that can enable them to secure employment or establish their own businesses.

Speaking during the ceremony, Windle International Uganda’s Business Development and Partnership Lead, Muhamad Kimera, said the initiative was designed to address the employment challenges faced by refugees, many of whom lack recognized vocational qualifications despite having practical skills.

He noted that the programme prioritized vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, youth-headed households, and survivors of gender-based violence, in line with the organization’s commitment to promoting inclusion, transparency, and gender equality.

To support graduates in transitioning into employment and self-employment, each beneficiary received a startup kit tailored to their area of specialization. They were also awarded certificates from the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), certifying their competencies.

Mr. Kimera added that the project fully covered tuition fees, training materials, UVTAB registration and assessment fees, as well as practical assessment tools. He explained that the programme was developed following a labour market assessment, which identified a growing demand for vocational skills, particularly among newly arrived refugees.

The Chief Guest, Johnson Katusabe, the Inspector of Schools for Kiryandongo District, commended Windle International Uganda for investing in refugees’ skills development. He urged the graduates to make productive use of the startup kits instead of selling them, emphasizing that the equipment would provide a foundation for sustainable livelihoods.

Representing the Office of the Prime Minister, Sarah Amooti Burungi, the Education Focal Person, encouraged the graduates to become ambassadors of positive change by applying their skills to improve their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.

Leonard Obua, Principal of Kiryandongo Technical Institute, expressed gratitude to Windle International Uganda for the partnership, describing the graduates as hardworking and disciplined learners who had demonstrated a strong commitment throughout the training.

Meanwhile, Okot Calvin Denis, Principal of Panyadoli Self Help Vocational Institute, said vocational institutions continue to play a critical role in equipping both refugees and host communities with practical skills despite facing financial constraints.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, the beneficiaries thanked Windle International Uganda, the training institutions, and other stakeholders for investing in their future. They pledged to use the knowledge and startup kits to establish sustainable businesses, improve their household incomes, and contribute to the economic development of their communities.