By Gabriel Luryeyo
In 2018, Florence Fabiola Lakica dropped out of school after her parents failed to raise school fees. She was in Senior 3. After her parents told her that she was no longer going to continue with her education, Lakica was left pondering her future.
However, all that changed in 2019, after Acholi Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub, a vocational institute, was set up by the government of Uganda to support disadvantaged youth in the former war-ravaged sub-region. Lakica was one of 200 youth shortlisted to undertake vocational skills training at the institute. When other young women went for hairdressing, tailoring, bakery and horticulture, Lakica chose welding.
“No one told me to train in welding and metal fabrications. I just made up my mind. I said to myself, [I want to become] one of the best welders,” she says.
After six months, Lakica graduated with a certificate in welding and metal fabrications. “My life has changed after I graduated. I now work with Don Logistics Company in Gulu City as one of the two welders recruited by the company.
Lakica can make metallic doors, beds, tables and chairs. “I can make a door in one day. This depends on the design. Some designs are complicated and need a lot of time to make a beautiful door,” she says. “On a good day, I can earn UGX 25,000. Out of the UGX 25,000, I save UGX 15, 000. I spend UGX 10,000 shillings on the basic needs,” she adds.
The mother of two is also taking care of her mother. Her parents are separated.
“I am very happy for this life changing opportunity. After I dropped out of school, life stood still. I never thought I would be able to have a decent job and provide for my family,” Lakica notes.
“I make tables, chairs and beds, which I later sell to my customers. The money I earn has enabled me to pay school fees for my two children and support close relatives as well. I have also been able to save part of my earnings, “she adds.
Lakica has big plans. She plans to work in the oil pipeline and also set up a welding workshop. “If possible, I want to work in the oil pipeline. My plan is also to set up one of the best workshops in Gulu City. I have already drawn up the budget. I need between UGX10 and UGX15 million to achieve my dream. [This will also] give other girls the opportunity to become self-reliant. I want to empower young women too.
Becoming a welder has changed the life story of Lakica in the last two years.
In Uganda, more than 70 percent of the population is under 30, and youth unemployment rates are as high as 63 percent. Women, in particular, face two major employability disadvantages, as Uganda has one of the highest school drop-out rates for women in East Africa and one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
Samuel Oyet Agwani, the Assistant Hub Manager, Acholi Zonal Industrial Hub, Presidential Youth Skilling said before receiving the skills training, the majority of the young people were desperate. “These young men and women who are now productive in society used to sit home pondering what the future holds for me. But not anymore. Things have changed for the better. This training has [given] them the skills they need to become self-sufficient,” Agwani says.
ABOUT THE HUB
The Industrial Hub located in Komker Village, Unyama Sub-County in Gulu District is one of the 21 zonal industrial hubs constructed in all sub-regions of Uganda by State House with the aim of skilling 12,600 youths every year.
The project is one of the projects run by the president’s office under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling.
