By Steven Enatu
SOROTI CITY
A selection committee of Youth Empowerment and Agro-Entrepreneurship Program has completed the rigorous process of selecting 100 youths from Teso Districts to participate in Youth Empowerment and Agro-Entrepreneurship Program- YEAP, an initiative aimed at transforming young, unemployed individuals into successful agribusiness entrepreneurs.
The beneficiaries were picked from all the 10 districts and one city in Teso. Soroti city, Soroti district, Serere, Katakwi, Kumi, Kalaki 10, Kaberamaido 7, Bukedea 5, Ngora 8 and Kapelebyong 9.
Of the 330 who qualified to be interviewed, only 292 were interviewed while 42 did not show up.
The program, part of a pilot project spearheaded by Nigerian professor Vincent Anigbogu, is modeled after a similar successful venture in Nigeria.
The completion of the rigorous selection process of finalists for training in agribusiness, to be conducted at the Busitema University Agro-Entrepreneurship Center for Teso was announced today, Saturday, 9th November, 2024 in a press briefing.
Simon Peter Okiror, a lecturer at Busitema University and Deputy Director of the Youth Empowerment and Agro-Entrepreneurship Project, highlighted that the initiative aligns with Uganda’s broader government programs, including the Presidential Skilling Hubs and the Parish Development Model.
These programs aim to reduce youth unemployment and elevate young Ugandans from subsistence farming to wealth creation. Approved in May 2024, the Youth Empowerment and Agro-Entrepreneurship Program is a joint effort involving the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat under the President’s Office.
The program targets 300 youth over three years, starting with 100 beneficiaries in Teso this year, followed by 100 in the Elgon region next year and another 100 in Busoga. For this initial phase in Teso, a budget of 572 million UGX has been allocated.
Joseph Opul, a lecturer at Gulu University and Director of Quality Education Consultancy Limited, elaborated that the program would train beneficiaries on establishing, managing, and adding value to Agribusiness.
Training will cover best practices in agriculture to develop a “Uganda brand” for both local and international markets.
Stella Roset Koikoi, acting production officer of Soroti City, explained that a baseline survey was conducted to identify viable agribusiness enterprises for the pilot program, including poultry, piggery, horticulture, cattle farming, sweet potatoes, cassava, insect farming, beekeeping (apiary), and other value-added agricultural activities.
James Small Chemutai, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner of Soroti City West, noted that the selection process was transparent and based on strict criteria.
To qualify, applicants needed an O-level certificate, a National Identification Number (NIN), access to at least four acres of land, and a recommendation from a parent or guardian.
A total of 382 applications were received, comprising 218 men, 112 women, and 13 individuals with disabilities. Following a scoring process, 30% of the selected candidates are women and 70% are men.
Each participant was required to score a minimum of 3.0 out of 5.0 to demonstrate capacity for the program. Selection was further refined by choosing the top seven male and top three female applicants from each of the eleven districts under Teso Including Soroti City.
Each beneficiary will receive between 3 and 5 million UGX, based on their chosen enterprise, with guidance from program experts.
Professor Vincent Anigbogu, the program’s pioneer, emphasized the importance of behavioral training, which will include drills led by Uganda’s military, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
He noted that similar methods in Nigeria led to a 90% success rate, and he is confident of achieving even higher success in Uganda.
However, Anigbogu stated that any participants unable to complete the training will be removed from the program to ensure the commitment of all involved.
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