In September 2022, AFFCAD Uganda awarded certificates of completion to 262 young entrepreneurs who had finished a 14-day entrepreneurship and employability training course. The 225 women and 37 men from the slums of Kawempe Division are among those whose businesses had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the ceremony, AFFCAD Executive Director Prudence Atukwatse urged the young people to continue engaging in income generating activities. She said, ‘I congratulate all youth that have undergone training on entrepreneurship and employability as this is a great milestone, especially for the small business owners. I encourage you to continue engaging in business as you empower yourselves economically to support yourselves and your families.’
The Guest of Honour of the day was the Deputy Mayor of Kawempe Division, Badiru Bakojja, who thanked AFFCAD for the work they are doing to transform the lives of young people in Kawempe. He urged attendees to formalise their businesses and to take advantage of government programmes designed to uplift young people.
The ceremony marked the successful completion of training for 562 young entrepreneurs (420 women and 142 men) from Kawempe Division. The scheme, which began in January 2022, taught them about record keeping, marketing, stock control, financial planning, and risk management.
Through follow up visits, AFFCAD sampled 180 of the young people who had attended the training to assess its impact: 35% of them reported an increase in sales; 39% registered an increase in customers; and 26% of their businesses are thriving because of the knowledge they acquired during the training. 100% of the trainees have been able to access financial services for their businesses since completing their training.
‘I am grateful to AFFCAD and its partners for the opportunity to gain the knowledge that has helped me improve my business.’ – Nakayemba Maggie, a trainee graduating at the awarding ceremony.
This scheme was made possible with funding from the European Union through the Aga Khan Foundation, under a project titled the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Skilling (YEES +). The project took place in the parishes of Bwaise I, Bwaise II, and Bwaise III of Kawempe division in Kampala.
The training has impacted more than 400 businesses, which have seen their daily income increase by at least 5%. All the businesses involved have been able to access financial services through banks, microfinances, and savings and lending associations.
None of this would have been possible without the support of our generous donors. If you would like to help young people like these become financially self-sufficient, you can donate here.