KABALE: Kabale District Local Government in collaboration with the Hunger Project Uganda, has launched a new initiative aimed at equipping young Ugandans with agricultural entrepreneurship skills to enhance their livelihoods, strengthen food security, and create sustainable income-generating opportunities.
The program, titled the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program (YAEP), will initially be rolled out in the sub-counties of Kitumba and Kamuganguzi, with plans to expand to Kyanamira and Buhara. YAEP is designed to harness the innovative potential of Ugandan youth, encouraging them to establish climate-smart agribusinesses that will have a lasting, positive impact on their communities.
Speaking during the program’s inception meeting on Tuesday at the District Rukiiko Hall, Eveline Namubiru, Program Coordinator with The Hunger Project Uganda, shared that YAEP is being implemented across seven districts: Kabale, Butambala, Wakiso, Iganga, Bugweri, Nwoya, and Amuru.
Namubiru emphasized that beyond agribusiness development, the program focuses on nurturing youth leadership. A core component is a tailored leadership and capacity-building curriculum, aimed at transforming young people from job seekers into job creators.
Participants will undergo specialized training in areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, agri-foods, value addition, food processing, financial management, and business development.
In addition, the program will support youth to launch and scale their businesses through access to land, financing, technology, and market linkages facilitated through partnerships with local governments and private sector players.
During the meeting, Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija expressed strong support for the initiative. He praised the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for fostering an environment conducive to development programs and urged implementers to prioritize regular reviews, provide technical guidance, and establish sustainable market connections.
The three-year program aims to benefit 1,500 youth aged 18 to 33, with a gender-balanced target of 50% girls and 50% boys. It seeks to unlock opportunities in agribusiness that foster both employment and income generation.
In his closing remarks, Assistant Resident District Commissioner Martin Niwataho welcomed the initiative, stating that it would empower youth with practical avenues for livelihood improvement and food security.
He stressed the need for mindset change, especially among youth involved in unproductive activities such as sports betting, which he linked to growing disillusionment.
Niwataho also encouraged the project team to conduct thorough needs assessments to ensure the program effectively addresses the real challenges facing young people.
