Gaba slum community gets new vocational facility

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Over 3,000 residents of Kampala city's Gaba’s slum areas are set to benefit from a newly established vocational facility under the Gaba Community Project.

The centre, which also provides healthcare services, aims to empower vulnerable youths and women with practical skills to improve their livelihoods.

Located near Lake Victoria shores, the facility will serve residents from Kansanga, Kibaati, Nabutiti, Katwe, Busega and other nearby areas, offering free vocational training and healthcare support.

During the grand opening on April 1, 2025, Namakula Teddy Rose Bbosa, the executive director of the Centre for Visually Impaired Children (CEVIC), highlighted the project’s significance.

She said the facility is dedicated to skilling children from disadvantaged backgrounds, equipping them with essential vocational competencies.

“We will train children aged 13 and above in various skills, including shoe making, sweater knitting and soap production. This machine alone can produce at least 15 sweaters per day, ensuring that our trainees can generate income and uplift their families,” Namakula explained.

The facility is designed to accommodate between 300 to 400 youths and women per training intake, creating a sustainable opportunity for skill development within the community.

Katoogo Zone LC1 chairperson, Medi Kakooza, urged community members to embrace the initiative by enrolling their children. He emphasized that the centre provides a crucial solution for youths who have been unable to complete formal education due to financial constraints.

“This initiative will transform lives by equipping our youth with marketable skills, ultimately reducing unemployment and fostering economic independence within our community,” Kakooza remarked.

Monteserrat Martínez, the president of Babies Uganda, the organisation behind the investment, underscored the project’s long-term impact. She noted that the initiative not only enhances vocational training but also improves access to healthcare services for the underprivileged.

“We are committed to supporting Ugandan communities through skill-based training and healthcare. This facility is a testament to the power of collective effort in creating opportunities for a brighter future,” Martínez said.

Babies Uganda invested over sh376m in constructing the vocational centre, reinforcing its dedication to empowering vulnerable communities and shaping a better future for Gaba’s youth.