A welder in Kyenjojo District has used government support to set up his own workshop, build a house, and begin training six young men in welding and metal fabrication. Brian Ayesiga says his transformation began at the Kijwiga Presidential Skilling Hub, where he acquired vocational skills before gaining practical experience working in another person’s workshop.
In 2025, President Yoweri Museveni visited the training centre and gave Ayesiga 10 million Shillings to establish his own business. Ayesiga used the money to rent premises and purchase welding machines and metal materials, enabling him to start operating independently.
He says the business has helped him provide for his family and construct a house. He has also started training six young men at his workshop, allowing them to acquire practical skills and prepare for employment.
Ayesiga is among several residents benefiting from government programmes in Kyenjojo District, including the Kijwiga Presidential Skilling Hub, the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP). The beneficiaries say the initiatives have helped them acquire vocational skills, access financing, expand their businesses and diversify their sources of income.
Sidon Kokugonza, a resident of Kihura Sub-county, also benefited from training at the Kijwiga Presidential Skilling Hub, where she studied hairdressing and salon management. After completing her training, Kokugonza worked in a salon and saved money until she could establish her own business. However, she initially lacked essential electrical equipment and had to take clients to a neighbour’s salon whenever she needed to use a hair dryer.
She gradually purchased some equipment from her earnings before receiving 10 million Shillings during Museveni’s visit to the training centre in 2025. Kokugonza says she invested the money in her salon, which has since grown. She now trains other people and has ventured into poultry farming to diversify her sources of income.
Clare Ahimbisibwe, the chairperson of Kijuma Women Hairdressing and Cosmetics Group, says the five-member group received 10 million Shillings through UWEP in 2023. The group invested the money in a shop selling hair products, accessories and cosmetics.
Ahimbisibwe says the members completed repayment of the funds, including interest, in 2025 and subsequently applied for additional financing. They have since received 12 million Shillings to expand their operations. She says the business has enabled the members to support their families and pay school fees for their children.Ahimbisibwe encouraged women to take advantage of government financing programmes to establish and grow businesses instead of depending entirely on their husbands for household income. Imelda Kendagano says support under the Parish Development Model helped her rebuild her business after thieves broke into her boutique and stole her merchandise.
She later ventured into selling fresh fruits and vegetables from a small stall before applying for PDM funding, which she invested in the business. Kendagano says the one million Shillings she received helped her grow the business and diversify into selling dry produce, including beans and groundnuts.
Anthony Byaruhanga, a coffee farmer in Bucuni Village, Kyenjojo Town Council, says PDM support has enabled him to increase coffee production and earn more by adding value to his harvest. Byaruhanga, who grows coffee on two acres, received PDM funds in 2023, which he used to purchase fertilisers and pesticides. He also received training in improved farming practices.
He says his harvest has increased from five bags of 100 kilogrammes each per season to 20 bags. With production rising, Byaruhanga ventured into roasting and grinding coffee into powder, which he sells at a higher price than unprocessed coffee beans. He says he earns about 40,000 Shillings from a kilogramme of ground coffee, compared with 12,000 Shillings from selling the same quantity of unprocessed beans.
Shem Ssekyanzi, the Kyenjojo District Production Officer and PDM coordinator, says the district has so far received 68 billion Shillings under the programme. He says district officials regularly monitor beneficiaries’ enterprises to assess progress, ensure the funds are used for their intended purposes, and encourage timely repayment so that other households can also benefit.
Julian Ayesiga, the Resident District Commissioner, says district leaders are encouraging residents to embrace government programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving household incomes. Mishac Kawamara, the Senior Presidential Adviser on Mobilisation, urged residents to take advantage of the available programmes to achieve economic independence.
He says the government has established different initiatives targeting various groups to help them participate in the money economy, create employment and improve their livelihoods-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
