State House Comptroller Jane Barekye has revealed plans to construct a second Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Karamoja to address the growing demand for vocational training in the sub-region.

The announcement came during an assessment visit to the existing Karamoja Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Napak District on Tuesday.

The current Napak facility is already training more than 240 young people in various technical skills.

Among the trainees is 27-year-old Denis Opio from Abim District, a youth with a disability who has successfully learned leather tanning and shoe-making despite lacking prior formal education.

During the visit, Ms. Barekye appointed Mr. Lorot John Bosco Kapel as the Regional SACCO Manager.

He will oversee the President’s Shs50 million revolving fund provided to graduate SACCOs across the nine districts of Karamoja.

“This officer is a field person,” Ms. Barekye said.

“He will constantly move across the districts supervising our SACCOs because we want this money to work. We do not want the President’s money to disappear.”

She urged district leaders to stop forced recruitment into the program, emphasizing that participation must be voluntary.

“Stop abducting people to come for training,” Ms. Barekye stated.

“Let them join willingly after understanding the opportunities available. Selection must follow the established guidelines.”

Ms. Barekye also called on local governments to give priority to graduates of the hubs when awarding contracts for items such as furniture, school uniforms, and construction works.

Regional leaders, led by Kotido Municipality Mayor Mr. Peter Abrahams, proposed that the second hub be established in Kotido District.

Local authorities there have already identified 70 acres of land for the new facility in northern Karamoja.Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, confirmed that work on the new hub will commence in the next financial year.

“This is Kisanja No Sleep and No Corruption,” Eng. Kamugisha said.

“We want every stakeholder involved so that the programme achieves its intended purpose. We are also monitoring how the Shs50 million SACCO funds are being utilised because they must improve the livelihoods of our graduates.”

This initiative forms part of broader efforts to equip unemployed youth with practical skills and support their transition into entrepreneurship.