Education
Mak Equips 65 Ghetto Youths with Entrepreneurial Skills
At least 65 ghetto youths from the five Divisions of Kampala were equipped with entrepreneurial skills following a three-month training course.
The youths from Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa, Rubaga and Central Divisions on Tuesday 27th June, 2023 graduated with certificates at a ceremony that was held at Makerere University. The training was fully funded by the government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF).
Dr. Badru Musisi, the mastermind of the training revealed that he conceived the idea in 2020 following the political riots sparked by ghetto youths that claimed lives of more than 50 Ugandans.
“I studied the situation that may be these youths were misbehaving because they were unemployed, angry, unoccupied, frustrated and hungry,” he said.
This he noted followed the training he had in Germany dubbed Students training for entrepreneurial promotion. “This is an entrepreneurship programme meant for young people who are starting up businesses and my personal initiative is training people who have businesses that are not moving on well,” he added.
Dr. Musisi explained that his initiative was successful and he was able to conduct a fact finding report he used to apply for funds from the government through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund. “The university gave us UGX300 million which we have been using”
This training commenced in February 2023 and ended this month. He highlighted that the trainees were being met once in a week for a three-hour session and they concentrated on their businesses the rest of the days.
“They were divided into groups of five and each was given a startup capital of UGX250,000. These engaged in businesses like soap making, restaurants, petroleum Jelly making among others. And we considered those who were able to read and write such that we give them knowledge and they go back on the ground and train others.” he said.
Prof. Anthony Mugagga, who represented the Vice Chancellor congratulated the youth upon their certificate award and encouraged them to utilize the knowledge they have acquired. He decried the high crime rate in the ghetto and called for a mindset change as well as behavior change reminding them that HIV still exists and is a main cause of death among the youth. “Avoid engaging in reckless sexual behavior. It is your time to change and also change your peers for a better Uganda,” Prof. Mugagga said.
He called on the political leaders to engage the youth in patriotism training.
Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, on behalf of the National Chairman of NRM pledged support to the youths with startup tools like sewing machines, dryers, welding machines among others and asked them to act as examples to their fellow ghetto youths. She made a cash donation of UGX3 million to the ghetto businesses.
Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Areas Affairs presided over the event as the Guest of Honour and thanked Makerere University team that pioneered the initiative.
Mr. Swalik Balyejjusa, who was the leader of the ghetto youth in the training, testified to the skills he gained. “Before the course, I used to spend more than I earned but now, I save from the little I get.”
He asked the government to support the ghetto youths with funds such that they can expand their various businesses.
Education
Call for Applications: Full-Time Scholarship for Master Programme in Global Development, Crisis and Change at UiA
Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports has been called upon to find ways of popularizing the subject of art and crafts in lower and higher secondary education.
Prof. Anthony Muggaga, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University, said yesterday that the government should explore measures including making the subject compulsory.
“We should have at least a module for one term like we have General Paper or computer,” he said.
Prof. Mugagga believes that without popularizing Fine Art, the education sector will continue churning out students who lack critical thinking.
“Fine Art is what will cultivate a critical mindset amongst our learners. That is why we encourage children in nursery school to draw; we are trying to bring out what is in their minds,” he said.
“It is the same reason that art is considered therapy for mental health patients. When they draw, they express what is taking place in their minds.”
Prof. Mugagga was speaking at the launch of the findings of the pilot report for the Visual Arts Curriculum Review.
Dr Julius Ssegantebuka from Makerere University College of Education and External Studies and the lead researchers said the curriculum review project is intended to prepare secondary school art and design teachers, by equipping them with practical skills and values that match the modern world.
“During this second phase of the project, we had trial lectures and discussions with the teachers. We also embarked on removing obsolete content and replaced it with new content and also separated some of the art disciplines that were formally combined,” he said.
The updated curriculum he said, puts emphasis on research, group discussions, and field studies among others.
Speaking as chief guest at the launch, Dr Grace K Baguma, the Director National Curriculum Development Center commended the initiative.
“I commend Dr Ssegantebuka and the team for this initiative, which is aimed at contributing to the development of quality curricula that employ modern pedagogies that respond to societal needs,” she said.
On her part, Dr Moreen Muwanga from Kyambogo University called for the integration of ICT in the teaching of visual arts.
“Many of us have a phobia of handling a computer. Yet the students we are teaching are flexible and conversant with ICT,” she said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba has welcomed a delegation from the German Adult Education Association (DVV International) led by the Board Chair Hon. Martin Rabanus. The delegation was in the country to assess the impact of their partnership with Makerere University and the community.
DVV International and Makerere University, Department of Adult and Community Education have been partners since 1986.
The support has been in the areas of teaching and learning. DVV International supported the development and launch of the Master of Adult and Community Education (MACE) in 2007. Makerere University has since graduated many who now work as lecturers in Higher Institutions of Learning, programme managers, development workers, adult education trainers and so on. Before then, DVV International was supporting undergraduate students of the Bachelor of Adult and Community Education (BACE) with financial support towards internships and practical training during the Recess term of Year 2.
Speaking in his office on April 15, 2024, Assoc. Prof. Kakumba appreciated the Germany government for the support over the years. Saying through this support Makerere has continued to foster adult education by settling up Adult Education centres in Lira and Mbale for this purpose.
DVV International has over time supported staff in the area of research and publications. Some of the beneficiaries include Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Twine Banakuka, among others. In early 1990s the organization helped to renovate the building housing adult and community education. The organization has also previously supported staff to acquire Masters and PhDs.
Prof. Kakumba appealed to Hon. Martin Rabanus to consider renewing the MoU between the two institutions in an effort to continue training adult educators.
Hon. Martin Rabanus applauded Makerere University for the achievements obtained so far and the contribution the partnership has enabled. “We are happy that we were able to provide adults an opportunity for them to get a certificate and improve their lives,” he said. “Thank you for the corporation for the last 40 years.”
Present in the meeting were the Principal of College of Education and External Studies(CEES), Prof. Anthony Mugagga, the Dean of the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo and Dr. Stella Achen – Head of Department, Adult and Community Education.
-
General1 day agoAdvert: Admissions to Undergraduate Programmes 2024/25 AY
-
Computing & IS2 weeks agoFree Course: Introduction to Data Science
-
Research5 days agoHon. Dr. Muyingo Officially Launches Graduate Forum, Research Management System
-
Education2 weeks agoGovernment Asked to Make Fine Art Compulsory in Secondary Schools
-
General1 week agoMak DARP Project Launch to Revolutionise Management of Academic Records