The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, has called on the Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC) in Jinja City to design short, practical courses targeting single mothers, school dropouts and other vulnerable youth, saying skills development is key to fighting poverty and reducing social vulnerabilities in the region.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the kingdom’s second deputy premier, Mr Noor Osman, during the College’s 16th graduation ceremony on November 28, the Kyabazinga noted that many young people risk being left behind unless institutions intentionally support them.
‘We pledge to continue supporting this College but also appeal to its management to consider the kingdom’s subjects like the single mothers, school dropouts, and other vulnerable youth, so that they get skills, fight poverty and become ambassadors of Busoga’s culture and heritage,’ the Kyabazinga said.
Ms Florence Mutyabule, Busoga’s presidential advisor on poverty alleviation, told this publication on the sidelines of the event that many single mothers lack employable skills, leaving them unable to compete effectively for jobs.
The Principal of HTTC, Mr Richard Kawere, revealed that 66 percent of the College’s current student population is female, and that 82 of the graduands completed the apprenticeship programme, an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism under the government reskilling programme supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the ministries of Education and Gender.
‘Statistics show that 71 percent of the students who graduate as apprentices from the HTTC transition into employment within the first three months and another percentage within the next six months,’ Mr Kawere said.
‘We have not recorded unemployment out of the students who have undergone an apprenticeship programme; and today, I want to state that tourism and hospitality are at the centre stage of jobs. For every 100 jobs, 10 percent of the world population is employing tourism and hospitality professionals.’
He added that the College has strengthened its capacity through international partnerships, including one with the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, under which 22 academic staff were certified as international hospitality educators.
Col (Rtd) Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, urged the newly graduated students to uphold high professional standards and praised HTTC for its strong partnerships and contribution to the growth of Uganda’s tourism sector.
He described tourism and hospitality professionals as essential to national development, noting that the sector is a ‘strategic pillar’ under Uganda’s Vision 2040 plan, which aims to generate $50 billion from tourism.
A total of 366 students graduated with Diplomas and Certificates in Pastry and Bakery, Hotel Management, Tourism Management and other disciplines. Of these, 81 (22%) were male and 285 (78%) female.
Sixteen students achieved first-class honours, with Ms Priscilla B. Mukisa, a National Certificate in Hotel Operations student, emerging best overall with a CGPA of 4.92.
The HTTC, formerly the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI), is a government institution mandated to train the tourism and hospitality workforce. It has produced more than 7,000 graduates now serving in the sector.
The institution adopted its new name in March following the enactment of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act, which restructured Uganda’s vocational training system.