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Agroup of youth attending a training session in Mbarara City [Photo: Jovita Hasto]
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By Jovita Hasto
Ankole youth have raised concerns over challenges that are limiting their ability to fully participate in business. The young people, trained by Ripple Effect in districts including Ibanda, Rubirizi, Isingiro, Kamwenge, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kazo, and Sheema, received basic start-up capital to establish enterprises in milk production and value addition.
However, they are worried that due to limited resources and inadequate support, they may fail to fully utilize the skills they have acquired.
They are now calling on parents and the government to support them in enhancing their skills and sustaining their enterprises.
Lucky Ninsiima, a youth from Rwentuha Town Council in Sheema District, explains that if young people and women are adequately supported, they can fully participate in business.
She adds that financial independence can also reduce women’s dependence on their husbands and minimize cases of domestic violence.
“As a lady, it is beneficial when I make my own money instead of waiting to beg from my husband. At times, husbands get emotional when too much is expected of them. We call upon our husbands to support us in our ventures,” she said.
Some of the products produced by the youths across South Western Uganda. [Photo: Jovita Hasto]
Rose Nasaali, a beneficiary from Ibanda District, says that before joining the initiative, she was a subsistence farmer producing food crops for her family but could not participate fully due to a surgery wound that made farming difficult.
She later joined a group where she trained in yogurt production, and together they secured a quality stamp from UNBS for their products. “We have already taken our sample products to Kampala for a quality mark and we believe our enterprise will grow. However, we do not have enough funds,” she said.
Nasaali added that she has been able to expand her yogurt business to support her family. “Making yogurt has helped me earn a living. I started with just 5 litres, and now I produce 20 litres. I am glad that I can now afford to meet my family’s needs,” she said.
Mr. Henry Mugaya, the Rubirizi District Veterinary Officer, said many youth in Rubirizi have benefited and managed to start their own ventures. However, most lack exposure to marketing and branding.
“The youth have gained skills and have been saved from redundancy in the community. However, it would be better if they were engaged more in marketing. Some have not yet mastered ways of attracting customers, and such skills would help them in the future,” he noted.
He further appealed to parents and guardians to support their children with resources to help them put their talents into practice.
“If your child has a skill, encourage him or her to grow it. Some require land or other inputs but lack the means. Support your children as much as you can,” he stated.
Ms. Pamela Ebanyat, the Country Director at Ripple Effect, said the organization has encouraged youth to form groups where they access start-up capital and venture into value addition projects.
“Youth make up the biggest population in Uganda, yet they have been left behind in value addition. As an organization, we have been supporting them through groups to help them fight poverty,” she said.
She explained that if youth are guided and facilitated to embrace entrepreneurship, they will be able to earn a sustainable living.
“We train them in confectionery and value addition to dairy products, and we are glad they are starting small with hopes of growing bigger,” Ms. Ebanyat said.
She also noted that female youth who are married often face difficulties in pursuing entrepreneurship, as some spouses create obstacles for them. This, she said, has left some young women unable to utilize their skills.
“For that reason, stakeholders have stepped in to engage spouses, showing them how the end results benefit their families. We encourage families to support young women because what they earn contributes to family income and helps households grow,” she added.
Torch Media Africa
