When you step a foot into the compound of Kagiira Skills Development Centre premises in the Western district of Ibanda, you will probably catch a glimpse of a jolly young man, clad in a well-fitting suit. The smile that John Baptist wears on his youthful face and his great sense of humour are enough to demonstrate the impact of the training he attended under the Work Readiness Programme he attended at Kagiira Development centre. Other participants are Nakayiza Gloria, a food scientist, and Akundwe Sarah, a horticulturalist.

The training covered both technical and soft skills that one needs to thrive in the world of employment. After the training, Mugabe was retained to work as the company’s accountant as well as an administrator. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Accounting and Finance, from Uganda Christian University. He graduated in July 2022.

A few years ago, Mugabe had a dream of working in a reputable organisation as an accountant. Fortunately, his prayers have been answered. For the few months Mugabe has worked as the company’s accountant, he has been able to change the face of the organisation. His first task was to organise the institution into departments to ensure smooth running.

“When the organisation was starting, it had no departments. It has since been organised into different departments including finance, horticulture, value addition among others. They assigned us duties because we are graduates who had been empowered with management skills at the skills centre,” Mugabe says.

He also learnt how to remit taxes, compile and manage financial reports, which he says guide management in making financial decisions and accountability. Like other graduates, Mugabe says he has acquired hands-on skills. He has now enrolled for a CPA course so that he can become a professional accountant. In a bid to diversify his sources of income, Mugabe is also venturing into poultry farming.