Kitgum | In a deliberate move to spur job creation and promote self-reliance within the community, Onekalit Denis Amere, the Member of Parliament for Kitgum municipality, has donated a full set of cooking dishes to 21 catering service groups operating in the area.
The donation, made during a brief but impactful event held at the Kitgum Christ the King playground in Kitgum municipality is part of the MP’s broader initiative to support youth and women-led income-generating activities under his community empowerment program.
Each group received a complete assortment of catering equipment, including saucepans, serving dishes, plates, and other essential utensils necessary for professional outdoor cooking and food service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Hon. Onekalit emphasized the importance of practical support in reducing unemployment and improving household incomes.
“This is not just about donating dishes. It’s about creating opportunity and building dignity. Catering is a growing sector with great demand, especially during community events, weddings, and funerals.
“My aim is to ensure that the young people and women in Kitgum municipality can take advantage of these opportunities,” he said.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to use the equipment responsibly and work together as groups to build sustainable businesses.
The beneficiaries, mostly youth and women, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support, noting that lack of equipment has been one of their biggest barriers to progress.
Voice of beneficiaries
Grace Joyce Wokorach, a member of “Nipoko pe I Kristo Mobile Catering Services,” one of the recipient groups, couldn’t hide her excitement.
“We’ve been hiring utensils for every event, which ate into our profits. Sometimes we would miss out on big jobs because we couldn’t meet the requirements. This donation has changed everything. We can now compete favorably and grow our business,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Laker Ketty, who leads “Yub Kiti Mobile Catering” specializing in event catering, said: “This is the kind of support we’ve been waiting for. Many of us have the skills but not the tools. With this donation, we are not just getting utensils, we’re getting a chance to dream again.”
Kitgum Municipal aspiring candidate for Mayoral seat under FDC ticket, Oyo Morris Santo, the LC3 chairperson of Pager Division, who witnessed the handover, praised the MP for his hands-on approach to community development.
“This is a shining example of leadership in action. By investing in the skills of our people and giving them the tools they need, Hon. Onekalit is laying the foundation for long-term change.”
Background and impact
Catering services are increasingly becoming a vital source of employment in Kitgum municipality, especially for out-of-school youth and women who may not have formal employment.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit over 300 people across the 21 groups, with a ripple effect on their families and the local economy.
The event closed with a collective prayer and commitment from all beneficiary groups to work hard, remain accountable, and support others in their journey toward economic independence.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.