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SISTER LED YOUTH INITIATIVE UGANDA LAUNCHES PHASE III WITH EXPANDED FOCUS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

The Sister-Led Youth Initiative Uganda (SLYIU), a program under the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), convened training centre administrators and other participants from the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Gulu and Tororo at the end of January 2026 for an orientation on the Phase III Core Program Areas (CPA).

Among the administrators were Principals, Directors, Headteachers, and delegates serving as senior trainers, educators, and mentors. Together, they shared experiences from Phases I and II and reaffirmed their role as builders of hope for young people, especially the most vulnerable, as they embark on Phase III. Six additional vocational training schools have been included in this phase, bringing the total to 22.

The Program Coordinators projecting for first seesion.
The SLYI Program Coordinator, Rev. Sr. Caroline Bacia LSMIG, highlighted three key developments introduced in Phase III: {1} Of the targeted 1,035 youths to be skilled over the three years of implementation, 50 will be survivors of human trafficking/Trafficking in persons, and 50 Youth With Disabilities will be recruited. {2} Support will be extended to three selected ARU Member Institutes to establish Mega Businesses as a strategy to strengthen their existing production units, support already skilled youths in terms of employment, support other some of the most vulnerable youth who haven’t got opportunity for skilling and sustain the sisters’ communities in the long term. {3} Over 90 skilled youths will be expected to receive apprenticeship or employment in the mega businesses. {4} A functional Partnership and Employment Hub Office (PEHO) has been established, with an appointed officer to manage it. The officer is responsible for linking skilled youths to employment opportunities and internships across the country, as well as tracking the progress and success of those trained and supported with start up kits in Phases I and II. The PEHO will also be linked to a website to increase the SLYI's visibility and draw in new donors and potential employers.

On behalf of ARU, the Assistant Secretary General, Rev. Sr. Justine Naluggya, IHMR, expressed heart felt gratitude to all educators and mentors for their tireless service to young people. She urged them to remain committed, transparent, and donor sensitive as they implement Phase III, emphasizing the importance of sustainability to ensure lasting impact

ARU commended the SLYI coordinators for creating a platform where partners could reflect on their shared responsibility and formally demonstrate their commitment through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The National Program Coordinator of ARU-SLYI, Sr. Carol Bacia, LSMIG addresses the participants during the launch of phase III of the program.

SR. JUSTINE CONTINUES WITH SESSION.

The Sister-Led Youth Initiative focuses on restoring dignity, hope, and opportunity for young people facing hardships, build their confidence and empowering them to become agents of positive change in society. This is achieved through hands-on skills training in partnership with selected training centres operating under the Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) framework across the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Gulu and Tororo.

Rev. Sr. Justine continues with session II

REV. FR. NICHOLAS KIRUMA ALIGNS TVET POLICIES TO TRAINING CENTRS

Participants also gained deeper insight into the Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) Act through an in-depth presentation by Kampala Archdiocese Education Secretary, Rev. Fr. Nicolas Kiruma. The session was meant to help them understand the policies and standards required for an institution to qualify as a training centre as well as those qualified to be trainers

Rev, Fr. Nicholas Kiruma explains TVET policies to centre administrators
Mr. Philliam Embati quotes TVET policies to the training centre administrators

The Secretary General – ARU addresses the centre administrators and then proceeded to handing over the project document to the administrators.

Madam Immaculate from Toto Maria Vocational Training Centre - Kotido
Rev. Sr. Jesca, Administrator of Divine Mercy Vocational Training Centre Nebbi
Deputy Principal - Br. Konrad Vocational Training Institute Lira
Rev, Sr. Conslate Ayiorwoth, Principal Mother
Rev. Sr. Delfina Luma, Administrator Child Jesus Comprehensive SS Moroto
Mr. Ronad one of the administrators from Adraa Agriculture College, Nebbi
Rev. Sr. Theresia Monthe, Principal Bake For Life College Tororo
Training Centre Administrators pose for photo after receiving PHASE III signed document

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