More than 500 primary seven leavers in Kole North, Lango sub-region, are earning between shs2-3 million monthly, tndNews, Uganda, understands.
This follows Kole North MP Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti’s establishment of free vocational training centers across his constituency to boost self-employment and local economic growth for youth who did not complete their Primary Leaving Examinations.
In Uganda, over 1.2 million learners fail to complete Primary Seven annually, with about 43% of pupils dropping out before finishing.
High dropout rates, particularly in P.5–P.7 classes, are driven by poverty, school fees, early marriage, lack of school lunch, financial constraints (inability to pay for uniforms), lack of interest, and pregnancy, especially in rural areas.
Statistics indicate that more than 1 million pupils drop out between P.1 and P.7—a figure that has remained high since the government introduced Universal Primary Education (UPE).
Currently, dropouts are most common in upper primary classes (P.5–P.6), with few pupils reaching P.7. Girls are heavily affected, with over 90% of those who enter P.1 failing to complete P.7.
On April 6, 2026, over 500 youths in Kole North graduated from Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti’s vocational training program at Abim Primary School.
The graduates were awarded Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) certificates by the Ministry of Education and Sports after completing a skills program that equips youth to boost self-employment and local economic growth.
Stella Adong, 24, a former child mother from Aboke town council whose education ended in P.6, said: “After two years of tailoring training, I now earn 20,000 daily, which helps me pay school fees, medical bills, and buy food. Dr. Acuti is a true leader.”
Sam Omara, 22, from Alito town council, also expressed gratitude: “I joined in 2023 when the vocational center opened and completed one year of training in motorcycle repairs. I have now opened my own workshop, and I earn over shs150,000 daily. I reached P.5, but now I have valuable mechanical skills and can support my parents and my own family.”
Jimmy Odongo, 30, said: “Currently, I have opened my workshop in Amuro Town, and I have more than 50 learners undergoing training in carpentry and concrete practice (BCP). I now earn more than shs300,000 per month. I stopped in P.7.”
Thomas Acuti, the head of the vocational training skills program in Kole North, has established seven training centers across the constituency over the past four years.
All these centers have significantly impacted youth skills development, not only in Kole but across the Lango region. The training centers offer free courses in building construction, tailoring, carpentry, hairdressing, and motorcycle mechanics.
Recently at Kyankwanzi, President Yoweri Museveni confirmed that the State House will support the youths trained under the skilling program run by Kole North MP Dr. Opio Acuti. He described the initiative as a timely complement to national efforts to tackle unemployment.
This follows a statement that Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti delivered before the President during the ongoing NRM parliamentary retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi.
Acuti said the program has so far equipped more than 1,000 youths with vocational skills in courses such as carpentry, hairdressing, tailoring, building and construction, and motorcycle mechanics.
Dr. Opio Acuti further informed the President that over half of the trainees have received DIT certificates under the Ministry of Education and Sports, and 172 graduates have already opened workshops.
However, he expressed frustration that some offices at the national level have been distributing sewing and welding machines to youths in other parts of the country, but such support has never crossed Karuma to benefit his constituents.
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