The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), represented by Under Secretary Mr. Ronald Ssegawa, has urged leaders in the fisheries training sector to adopt innovative approaches to enhance training programs across the country.
Mr. Ssegawa emphasized the need for maximizing resource utilization to achieve financial sustainability and advocated for public-private partnerships to improve service delivery, thereby allowing institutions to focus on fisheries training. He envisioned increasing student enrollment from the current 260 to over 1000 through specialized programs aimed at equipping youth with fisheries skills.
Speaking at the launch of solar-powered water pumping and lighting systems at the Fisheries Training Institute in Entebbe, Mr. Ssegawa underscored the importance of imparting entrepreneurial skills to students, emphasizing self-employment over seeking traditional employment opportunities.
The principal of the institute, Mr. Willy Ofwono Osinde, highlighted the significance of the solar project, which was funded by a Shs 600 million grant. The initiative aims to enhance industrial training, reduce water and electricity expenses, and update outdated curricula.
Mr. Ofwono emphasized the importance of establishing skills development centers nationwide to equip young people with essential fisheries skills, aligning with the government’s efforts to empower youth in the sector.
Project manager Mr. Isaac Kyeyune elaborated on the benefits of the solar-powered systems, noting significant cost savings on utility bills. The installed water pumping system, capable of pumping up to 40 cubic meters of water per day, is expected to meet the institute’s water demands, thereby reducing reliance on National Water services.
Furthermore, a 6.5kw solar power generating system, supplemented with battery storage, will ensure uninterrupted power supply, addressing the challenge of power blackouts and providing a sustainable energy solution for the institute.
