Oyam, Uganda – A team from the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development visited the Cung Irwot Group in Alyec B Village, Akaka Parish, Aber Sub-county, Oyam District, on Friday to monitor their progress under the government’s Juakali/Cente program.
The Cung Irwot Group, established in 2018 with approximately 60 members (around 30 households), provides outside catering services to the local community.
The ministry team was led by Fred Ngabirano, Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs. Ngabirano explained that the nine-year Juakali program aims to equip youth, women, and people with disabilities with various entrepreneurship skills. He stated that the program has already supported over 23,891 beneficiaries and is currently evaluating the performance of supported groups. In Oyam District, 25 groups are involved in various enterprises, including tailoring, welding, carpentry, plumbing, hairdressing, and outside catering.
David Okumu, Chairperson of the Cung Irwot Group, attributed their success to the training and other support received through the Juakali program. He explained that before 2018, each member contributed 2,000 shillings monthly, generating a total of 106,000 shillings. However, after receiving a tent and chairs from Minister Betty Amongi in 2022, their monthly income has increased to around 286,000 shillings.
Okumu expressed the group’s aspirations to expand their ventures by venturing into poultry farming and providing further entrepreneurial skills training to members. They also aim to establish a strong and reliable Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) to facilitate savings and loaning activities.
This month, the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development is monitoring 43 groups in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions. They have already monitored 10 groups in Kitgum District, 2 groups in Amuru District, 3 groups in Nwoya District, 3 groups in Gulu City, and are currently monitoring 25 groups in Oyam District. They will then proceed to Agago District.
