President's skilling programme reducing city crime, says minister

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The level of crime has reduced within Kampala city and its suburbs because of the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child (PISGBC), the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, has said.

“I reside in Kisenyi, but many of the ghetto youth have reformed and even transitioned away from criminal behaviour,” she said on Wednesday.

Kabanda revealed that the positive impact the six-month programme has had on Kampala youth compelled her to enrol her granddaughter in the Mutundwe Skilling Centre.

Minister of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda remarking during the showcasing of students’ works at Mutundwe Skilling Centre on Wednesday 5 March, 2025. (PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

“I can testify because before I brought my granddaughter to join the bakery class, I used to buy baked products from Dr Katana, but now Jazira can bake all these products for me."

The minister made the remarks at the Mutundwe Skilling Centre in Kampala, during a showcasing ceremony for students.

The facility shares premises with All Saints Church, Mutundwe. 

“When I brought Jazira here last year, Dr Katana told me to get her an LC letter. I did not pay any fees, and there is no favouritism here,” testified Kabanda.

She advised Ugandans to ensure they have their family members and children skilled in various disciplines, arguing that this reduces the amount of money on buying items in shops.

According to the minister, there are fewer thieves and prostitutes on the streets compared to the number before skilling centres were set up by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 2017. 

(Credit: Colleb Mugume)

She believes that the verification strategy ensures all bonafide youths who want to enrol for the skilling programme are properly vetted and verified by the Local Council (LCs) in their respective villages of residence. 

This helps to eliminate the deliberate migration of beneficiaries who are allegedly transported by certain self-seeking actors from out of Kampala.

Dr Faith Mirembe Katana, the Special Presidential Assistant on Skilling and Education and Head of the PISGBC project, showcased a variety of pottery items.

She said this newly introduced skill will be taught with effect from the next intake scheduled for late March this year.

Bakery students showcasing some of their finished products at Mutundwe Skilling Centre. (PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

During the same event, the centre officially launched a magazine dubbed Mutundwe Herald.

According to Stuart Musinguzi, the centre’s guild speaker who is the brain behind the magazine, they managed to fundraise sh700,000 on the first day of the magazine’s launch, with each copy of the full-colour edition priced at sh50,000.

The bi-annual magazine highlights activities at the centre such as the scripture union, religions including Islam and Christianity, as well as dedicated pages towards health and discipline.

Dr Faith Katana, the Director of the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/Boy Child (PISGBC) Project (Right) handing over a certificate of participation to the best student in knitting course Mariam Mwase at Mutundwe Skilling Centre. (PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

A tale of transformation

A captivating testimony of transformation was shared by Mutundwe’s student leader, Samuel Katana (the centre’s health minister).

He said he had spent an entire decade in various rehabilitation centres trying to fight drug and alcohol addiction, among other bad habits that he is not proud of.

“While at UCU [Uganda Christian University], during my university days between 2009/10, I was caught up in peer pressure and became addicted to cocaine, heroin, alcohol and weed,” a youthful Katana narrated his past life.

Despite his very affluent family connections, he was unable to break the shackles of bondage as this negative behaviour spiralled out of control.

“I have been to four rehabilitation centres since 2016 until last year. I even had to attend my father’s funeral last year while I was enrolled in rehab,” said Katana.

His mother had earlier testified how this addiction does not spare the wealthy from ruining their lives; this is what inspired her to be very passionate about rehabilitating others.

The 34-year-old Katana also advised his fellow youths to endeavour to engage in productive activities as a coping mechanism. 

He cautioned them against bad influences and peer pressure, which he said led him down the dark path that cost him ten years of his young adulthood.

Leather designing student showcasing his skills attained in shoemaking at Mutundwe Skilling Centre. (PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

“But I am glad I joined here and acquired tailoring skills. I can easily earn sh15,000 a day from this skill. I have lived a very reckless lifestyle, but I did not get anything from it,” a rueful Katana said.

Another testimony came from a 31-year-old Nelson Mugabo, who is a shoe-making student and the disciplinary minister at the Mutundwe-based centre.

He has so far sold three pairs of shoes that he made himself; this earned him sh120,000 in less than four months, while he was studying.

“I thank instructor Doreen Mbabazi because she encourages us and keeps us focused,” said Mugabo.