Hima Cement Limited (Tororo Grinding Station) and the Safal Uganda Baati Foundation (SUBF), have entered a partnership to provide life-changing vocational skills training to vulnerable, out-of-school youth in Nyangole Sub county -Tororo District.
Hima Cement Limited -Tororo Grinding Station will work with Tororo district local government through Nyangole Sub County to profile, select and prioritise 30 out of school most vulnerable young men and women and place them for comprehensive technical training at the Safal Uganda Baati Technical Training Institute (SUBTTI). This initiative is designed to enhance employability and promote sustainable socio-economic growth within the region.
The training period is set to commence in late 2026 and run through 2027 and upon completion, graduates will receive career guidance and placement support to ensure a smooth transition into professional life.
As part of the commitment to Community Development under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillar, Hima Cement Limited (Tororo Grinding Station) has committed to this sponsorship through covering for Students’ tuition, scholastics, accommodation, meals, uniforms, and the Uganda Vocational Qualifications and Assessment Board (UVTAB) assessment. Additional to providing high-quality training services, Safal Uganda Baati Foundation will contribute all the necessary training materials for the identified young people.
“Through this partnership, Hima Cement aims to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged youth in Tororo District, aligning with our commitment to community development and sustainability,” stated Sushil Kumar Kulshrestha, General Manager of Hima Cement Limited- Tororo Grinding Station.
The 9 months training program, which includes six weeks of industrial training and internship, will offer Modular National Certifications (TVET/UVTAB) in several marketable trades, including:
- Automotive Mechanics
- Building and Concrete Practice
- Fashion and Design
- Cosmetology
- Welding and Metal Fabrication
- Digital Literacy
With supplementary like:
- Business skill and financial literacy
- Languages (Kiswahili and English)
- Mathematics
Beyond technical skills, the curriculum includes life skills sessions on Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC). These sessions focus on essential life skills such as confidence building, financial management, and health awareness, including the prevention and management of HIV and Gender-Based Violence.
George Mubiru, Head of Safal Uganda Baati Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating: “Our objective is to deliver high-quality, subsidized vocational education that empowers disadvantaged young people to develop resilience against social and health challenges, while equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in the workforce. This partnership with Hima Cement Limited aligns with our mission and will amplify our efforts to enhance youth employability in Uganda, supporting the government’s agenda of creating meaningful opportunities for young people. We appreciate Hima Cement Limited’s visionary approach in targeting the right beneficiaries and collaborating with us to transform the lives of vulnerable youth and their families”.
Findings from Labour Market Survey 2025 by Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that employers in formal businesses cited the non-availability of required skilled workers as one of the primary reasons for over 16,000 job vacancies remaining unfilled.
The report indicates a higher unemployment rate among younger individuals compared to the general working-age population (which is 12.2% for those 15 and above). At a regional level, the report indicates that Bukedi sub-region consistently recorded the highest youth unemployment rates (37.1% for ages 15–24 and 33.8% for ages 18–30).
A significant portion of the youth workforce is engaged in the informal sector, and there are noted challenges regarding skill availability. The survey report also indicates that most ofyouth are employed work in the informal sector (excluding agriculture, forestry, and fishing), and account for 95.1% of working youth aged 15–24 and 91.5% of those aged 18–30.
