Kyangwali, Uganda – A cohort of 175 young men and women has graduated from a six-month vocational training program at Maratatu Vocational Training Institute, located within the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, marking a significant milestone in youth empowerment and economic self-reliance.
Implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the hands-on program offered specialized training in tailoring, carpentry, welding, and hairdressing, equipping participants with market-ready skills to support independent livelihoods.
Each graduate received a start-up kit, complete with tools and equipment relevant to their trade, enabling them to immediately apply their skills and transition into self-employment. These kits are a cornerstone of the initiative’s strategy to reduce dependency on humanitarian aid by fostering entrepreneurship and resilience among youth in both refugee and host communities.
“This training has given me the confidence to start my own business,” said one graduate, expressing optimism for the future during an interview with Ref FM Kyangwali. “Now I can provide for myself and contribute to my community.”
The program targets vulnerable youth facing limited access to formal employment or education, with the goal of creating pathways toward sustainable income generation. For many, this graduation represents not just the end of a course, but the beginning of economic independence.
NRC officials and local leaders commended the graduates, emphasizing the transformative power of vocational education in fragile contexts. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote self-reliance, dignity, and long-term stability in displacement-affected areas.
As the graduates step forward with new skills and tools in hand, they carry with them the promise of a better future, built not on charity, but on capability and hard-earned confidence.
