Empowering Futures: A Vocational Lifeline for Uganda’s Vulnerable Women and Youth
By Rtn. Franklin Tumuhairwe.
Together, we are not just teaching skills; we are restoring hope, one student at a time.
In the rural heart of Western Uganda, in the quiet village of Kyenkonge, a silent revolution is unfolding. It is not marked by grand ceremonies or sweeping policy reforms, but by the hum of sewing machines, the aroma of fresh-baked bread, and the glow of young minds discovering the power of entrepreneurship and information technology. This is the story of transformation being driven through a Global Grant initiative powered by the Rotary spirit that connects hearts and hands across continents.
At the center of this inspiring project is the Bill and Barbara Geyer Rotarian Memorial Vocational Training Centre, a beacon of hope in Kibaale District. Spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Kampala East as the host club, in close partnership with the Rotary Club of Kabarole, and internationally sponsored by the Rotary Club of Winchester (District 6560, USA), this initiative is funded under Global Grant GG2463248, with a total investment of USD 93,171.66. The project targets 2 (Two) of Rotary’s core focus areast: Community Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability.
Kibaale District, where 96% of the population lives in rural areas faces high levels of youth unemployment, early school dropouts, and a persistent lack of vocational opportunities for women. With more than a third of households headed by youth aged 18–30, and literacy levels painfully low particularly among women entire generations risk being trapped in cycles of poverty. But Rotary’s intervention is helping to rewrite this narrative.
The vocational project aims to train at least 90 vulnerable women and youth over three years with many more expected to benefit in the long run. But it goes far beyond classroom instruction. Trainees acquire practical, in-demand skills in tailoring, hairdressing, carpentry, agriculture, mechanics, welding, ICT, and soap and candle making. Entrepreneurship training further equips them with essential business management skills including; financial literacy, customer care, and marketing strategies. ICT literacy, an essential skill in today’s digital world, ensures these young people are not just employable but digitally fluent.
The training is holistic and empowering. Every trainee graduates with a nationally recognised certification from the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), opening doors to employment or enabling them to start their own businesses. Through strategic internship placements, Rotary’s extensive network connects students to employers, mentors, and role models.
But this project is more than just numbers. It’s about restoring dignity and igniting dreams. It’s about women who once thought that early pregnancy had ended their futures and now opening beauty salons. It’s about young men who dropped out of school now building furniture and managing inventory. It’s about children going back to school because their mothers can finally afford the school fees. With support from this Global Grant, the campus is being secured with a perimeter fence to protect both students and property. On site production units are also generating income to helpsustain materials and tools. Trainees are not only learning, they are producing real goods for the market, creating a cycle of self-reliance and contributing to the local economy while conserving the environment through sustainable practices.
The monitoring and evaluation framework, led by Eco Agric Uganda and overseen by the participating Rotary Clubs, ensures transparency, accountability and continuous learning. Regular reports, site visits and impact assessments are integral parts of the project design, all guided by Rotary’s commitment to measurable outcomes and lasting change.
A Visit That Will Strengthen Bonds and Community Impact
In June 2025, the international partners from the Rotary Club of Winchester will make a special visit to Uganda. During their stay, they will meet with members of both the Rotary Club of Kampala East and the Rotary Club of Kabarole to witness the project in action. The visit will also include an engagement with Eco Agric Uganda where a community health camp will be held, bringing essential health services to vulnerable populations in the area. It promises to be a moment of celebration, shared learning and renewed commitment to service.
Inspiring Other Clubs to Think Globally, Act Locally
This Global Grant project is a powerful reminder that Rotary Clubs around the world can harness the power of international partnerships to drive long-lasting change. The Global Grant model offers a structured pathway for clubs to secure funding and mobilize expertise around projects aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus. Whether addressing education, health, water, economic development or the environment, Rotary’s global grant system is a door to sustainable impact and it’s open to all clubs ready to take that step.
This is the power of Rotary in action. A club in Kampala, another in Kabarole, and a passionate sponsor in Winchester, USA coming together to invest not in charity, but in capacity. Not in temporary aid, but lasting transformative empowerment.
As Uganda braces for economic shifts driven by emerging industries like oil, the demand for adaptable, skilled and entrepreneurial citizens is greater than ever. This project prepares its beneficiaries not only to survive but to thrive. It’s a model that can and should be replicated far beyond Kyenkonge.
From the pearl of Africa to the halls of Rotary International, this Global Grant is a testament to what happens when local knowledge meets global generosity—when service crosses transcends borders and builds futures. Together, we are not just teaching skills; we are restoring hope, one student at a time.
