Communities in the Bunyoro sub-region have welcomed the expansion of Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hubs through the introduction of value addition projects, describing the initiative as a major step toward reducing poverty and boosting household incomes.
The upgrades at the Greater Bunyoro Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hub include the installation of a maize milling plant, an animal feeds processing unit, and modern grain storage silos.
These new facilities are expected to boost productivity and significantly increase the value of agricultural produce from local farmers.
The development builds on the success of the skilling hubs programme initiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, which has already provided practical vocational skills to thousands of young people.
Authorities report that value addition projects have now been implemented in 11 out of the 19 hubs across the country, enabling communities to earn more from their agricultural produce.
State House Comptroller Jane Barekye oversaw the initial test runs of the newly installed equipment in Bunyoro to ensure operational efficiency before full-scale production begins.
The machinery, which was sourced from China, successfully passed the preliminary tests.
According to Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs at State House, the government has invested at least Shs 1 billion in each hub that is implementing value addition initiatives.“Value addition is being implemented in 11 hubs nationwide.
This is a major investment, and communities must take full advantage of these facilities to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
Kamugisha noted that Bunyoro’s strong maize production and livestock sector influenced the decision to prioritise a maize mill and animal feed processing plant in the region.
He added that the government plans to make further investments to establish a complete grain value chain.
National Coordinator for Value Addition, Edmond Ndyaremwaki, revealed that the Bunyoro hub will soon receive coffee processing equipment to diversify production.
He noted that the maize milling facility alone has the capacity to process up to 1,000 tonnes per day.
Similar installations have already been completed in hubs located in Mubende, Adjumani, and Kween. Plans are also underway to establish rice milling facilities in Kasese and the Bukedi sub-region.
Following successful test runs, Jane Barekye commended the initiative and urged local communities to make full use of the new infrastructure to maximise its benefits.
Officials stated that maize flour produced at the Bunyoro hub has already been branded as a premium product under the Presidential Industrial Hubs initiative, signalling a shift toward higher-quality, market-ready outputs.
Bunyoro Hub Manager Scovia Turyahebwa said the new facilities will provide a reliable market for farmers, create employment opportunities, and allow produce to be stored until favourable market prices are available.
“For years, farmers have sold raw maize at low prices due to limited processing capacity. This project will address that challenge and also improve the quality and availability of animal feeds,” she said.
Turyahebwa added that the skilling hubs programme has played a vital role in tackling youth unemployment.
She revealed that more than 1,500 youths have been trained at the Bunyoro hub, with many now self-employed or working in various sectors.
To further support these graduates, President Museveni has introduced a special grant targeting SACCOs formed by skilling hub alumni, with each district SACCO receiving Shs 50 million to support enterprise development.
As value addition projects continue to expand nationwide, the Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hubs are increasingly becoming key drivers of economic transformation by linking skills development with income generation and strengthening agriculture-based livelihoods.
