The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, has called on the wives of Special Forces Command (SFC) soldiers to unite, save diligently, and embrace income-generating skills to transform their families and communities.
Mrs. Museveni made the remarks while presiding over the second graduation ceremony for SFC spouses at the Marine Grounds in Entebbe.
The event, which included a fundraising drive for a paper crafting machine for Wamaama Production Centre, showcased the transformative power of skilling programs in empowering women economically.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Museveni encouraged the graduates to adopt disciplined saving habits, citing examples of women in Bangladesh who collectively established the renowned Grameen Bank.
“I always wish and pray that African women would unite, work together, and save until they can say they do not need to borrow from institutions like the World Bank,” she said.
She emphasised that financial strain often fuels domestic conflicts, urging the graduates to practice prudent financial management to improve their households’ stability and welfare.
The 160 graduates, from two cohorts, completed six months of training in various vocational skills, including soap-making, tailoring, baking, weaving, leather design, and bead artistry. They were assessed under the Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) and awarded performance transcripts.
Mrs. Museveni lauded their achievements, noting that such training had equipped SFC spouses to engage in income-generating activities, enhancing their families’ livelihoods and boosting self-esteem.
“This is what the Lord has done. You have been trained and equipped to participate in various income-generating activities. In the past, many SFC spouses were entirely dependent on their husbands. Today, you stand empowered,” she said.
The First Lady urged project managers to broaden the scope of the SFC spouses’ initiatives to address family-related challenges such as women’s leadership, health, wellness, nutrition, and hygiene.
She commended President Museveni’s commitment to empowering women and marginalised groups through the Presidential Skilling Program, which aims to increase household incomes and promote human capital development.
During the event, Mrs. Museveni presented a donation from President Museveni to cover the full cost of a paper crafting machine for Wamaama Production Centre. The machine, capable of producing napkins, serviettes, facial towels, toilet paper, and kitchen towels, is expected to generate additional income for the SFC spouses.
Major General David Mugisha, the Commander of the Special Forces Command, applauded the program for its impact on families and communities, affirming the proverb: “If you empower a woman, you empower a nation.”
“This empowerment alleviates financial burdens and strengthens the very fabric of our families and communities. Let these skills not only generate income but also inspire transformative change in households and beyond,” he said.
Kellen Nayebare, Director of Wamaama Production Centre, highlighted the organisation’s milestones, including securing land in Entebbe, registering as a company, obtaining certification for formal and non-formal assessments, and establishing production centres in nine military barracks.
The event, attended by dignitaries such as David Mubiru, Acting Director at DIT, and Professor Emmanuel Muranga from Kabale University, underscored the success of vocational skilling programs in uplifting families.
Mrs. Museveni encouraged graduates to pursue their passions, develop their leadership skills, and utilise industrial hubs established by the government to foster manufacturing and industrialisation.
