Despite the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in Uganda more than two decades ago, illiteracy remains a pressing challenge, particularly among young people.
Many youths have dropped out of school due to social challenges such as poverty, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and overwhelming family responsibilities.
In response to this persistent gap, the Soroti Youth Development Initiative (SOYODI), with support from the Rotary Foundation (Rotary Club of Soroti Central and the Rotary Club of Corning in the United States), has launched a skills development programme aimed at restoring hope to vulnerable youth in Soroti District.
The programme is currently being rolled out in the sub-counties of Arapai, Asuret, and Aukot is expected to last six (06) months.
The initiative seeks to equip at least 100 young people with practical skills that will empower them to support themselves and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Training areas include vocational skills, basic literacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
During the official launch of the programme in Arapai Sub County, Mr. Denis Francis Ajaru, a member of the Rotary Club of Soroti Central, emphasized the transformative power of literacy and skills training.
“Literacy brings dignity, unlocks a world of knowledge, and ensures individuals are treated with fairness,” he said.
“Our mission as Rotary is to promote education for life. It is not just about reading and writing, but about sustainable development and transforming communities.”
Ronald Okuraja, the Programme Director at SOYODI, called upon the youth beneficiaries to embrace trust and innovation.
“We are offering you a foundation, what you build on it is up to you,” he urged. “Be creative, think beyond the immediate, and become role models in your communities.”
The programme has been welcomed by local leaders, including Arapai Sub County LCIII Chairperson Simon Peter Emetu, who commended Rotary Foundation for selecting Arapai, a sub-county grappling with high youth unemployment and school dropouts.
“We have struggled with rising cases of idleness and hopelessness among the youth,” Emetu said.
“This intervention could not have come at a better time. Rotary and SOYODI are like the Good Samaritan, bringing light and hope to the most vulnerable in our communities.”
He also acknowledged the efforts of local leaders who helped identify the programme’s beneficiaries and urged the youth to approach the training with seriousness and maturity.
“Do not behave like pupils in a classroom,” Emetu warned. “This is an opportunity to grow, to mature, and to start thinking about what is good and what is bad.”
Among the beneficiaries is Rhoda Ariokot, a young woman from Okunguro village.
Like many of her peers, she dropped out of school due to lack of fees and family responsibilities.
She expressed heartfelt gratitude to SOYODI and Rotary for giving her a second chance.
“This is more than a training, it is hope restored,” she said. “I believe that by the end of this programme, I will have a life-saving skill that will change not only my life, but also that of my family.”
The Soroti youth skills development programme underscores a growing recognition among civil society groups and development partners that empowering youth with practical skills is essential to tackling poverty, unemployment, and social vulnerability.
By reaching out to underserved communities, such initiatives offer young people the chance to become active contributors to local development.
As the programme rolls out over the coming months, organizers hope that the trainees will become ambassadors of change, using their newly acquired skills to inspire others, uplift their households, and break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy that continues to plague rural Uganda.
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