More than 170 young people from vulnerable backgrounds in Arua City have completed a three‑month vocational training programme, highlighting the growing role of practical skills development in addressing youth unemployment and economic vulnerability. The initiative, facilitated by the MunguFeni Foundation, equipped participants with hands‑on skills in tailoring, garment cutting, and hairdressing trades that can be turned into income‑generating activities and small business opportunities in their communities.
At the graduation ceremony, Resident City Commissioner Betty Akello Otekat urged graduates to see their newly acquired skills not just as certificates but as tools for long‑term personal and economic transformation. She encouraged them to tap into broader government livelihood initiatives, such as the Parish Development Model, to expand their prospects and build sustainable enterprises.
Principal Education Officer Raymond Ombere emphasized the importance of persistence, discipline, and financial prudence reminding the graduates that consistent saving, even in small amounts, can provide the seed capital needed to expand their ventures. Meanwhile, Lawrence Econi, an administrator at the foundation, highlighted the importance of immediately applying the skills learned by launching small enterprises and gradually building them into viable businesses.
The MunguFeni Foundation, founded by Benard Feni, has trained more than 400 learners since its inception, beginning with an initial cohort of 55 students. Beyond the current graduation, the foundation is implementing several community‑based projects that target youth, orphans, and underprivileged residents all aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting self‑employment. The organisation operates primarily with locally mobilized resources, though partnerships support about half of its empowerment activities.
Feni explained that the foundation was established to empower vulnerable individuals and communities through compassion, service, and faith, guided by Christian values and the belief that transformative change is possible even in challenging circumstances.
The success of this vocational training effort in Arua reflects a broader recognition across Uganda that practical skills when paired with entrepreneurial drive and support structures can unlock pathways to self‑reliance. As more youth graduate with market‑relevant skills and begin to translate their training into tangible economic activities, such programmes contribute meaningfully to reducing unemployment and strengthening community resilience.