Youth Empowerment in Teso: Government Launches Agripreneurship Program to Tackle Unemployment
SOROTI – The Ugandan government has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment and poverty in Teso by focusing on practical agribusiness skills.
The Youth Empowerment in Agripreneurship Programme (YEAP) is a collaboration between the Office of the President’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat (STI-OP), Busitema University, and the Institute for National Transformation. The initiative seeks to equip young Ugandans with the tools to become self-reliant agripreneurs and community leaders in sustainable agriculture.
Launched in May 2024, YEAP offers a structured three-month training program that begins with a foundational three-week residential course at the Busitema University Agro-Entrepreneurship Centre. The program is designed for 100 selected participants from Teso districts, who will be introduced to essential skills in business management, modern farming techniques, value addition, branding, and market access. After the foundational training, participants will gain hands-on experience at various farms, applying their skills in real-world agricultural environments.
To support the young agripreneurs, each participant will receive financial assistance ranging from 2 to 3.5 million UGX, depending on the type of agribusiness they choose to pursue. This funding, combined with ongoing mentorship and supervision from program facilitators, ensures structured support for the development of each agribusiness project. Program coordinators will monitor the progress of each initiative, providing mentorship to help participants succeed and ultimately transforming Teso’s agricultural sector into a driver of economic resilience and food security.
The selection process for YEAP was highly competitive, with 100 finalists chosen from 382 applicants. The program prioritizes gender equity and inclusivity, ensuring that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are also given opportunities, in line with Uganda’s national commitment to social inclusion.
Funded with a UGX 572 million allocation, YEAP’s pilot phase in Teso is seen as a model for potential expansion across Uganda. During a press conference at Soroti Hotel, Mr. Okiror Simon Peter, a lecturer and Deputy Director of Busitema University’s Agro-Entrepreneurship Centre (BUAEC), outlined the program’s broader goals. “The primary objective of this program is to equip young people with the skills to manage and grow agribusinesses, thereby creating wealth and contributing to the national economy,” said Mr. Okiror. He emphasized that YEAP is not just about agricultural training, but also about cultivating responsible citizens who can drive socio-economic growth.
Dr. Joseph Opul, a lecturer at Gulu University and Director of Quality Education Consultancy Ltd, highlighted the importance of combining agribusiness training with entrepreneurial skills to ensure long-term success. “Young people need more than just technical skills in agriculture; they also need business acumen to manage and grow their enterprises,” Dr. Opul explained. “Our goal is to make participants competitive in the global market.”
In addition to agricultural training, YEAP will cover practical business strategies such as marketing, customer engagement, and competitive positioning. This holistic approach will equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in both local and international agricultural markets. Unlike other youth programs, YEAP includes a strong follow-up and mentorship component, ensuring that participants receive continued support as they build and scale their businesses.
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Soroti City West Division, Mr. James Chemutai, noted that the success of YEAP in Teso could serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across Uganda, ultimately transforming the country’s agricultural sector into a vibrant, youth-led engine for economic growth.
Professor Vincent C. Anigbogu, Director of the Busitema University Agro-Entrepreneurship Centre, emphasized that the program’s scope extends beyond technical agribusiness skills.
“We are developing resilient entrepreneurs. In addition to skills training, participants also undergo physical training with the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) to instill discipline, persistence, and a strong work ethic,” Professor Anigbogu explained. This holistic approach prepares participants for the challenges of running a business, cultivating values that will help them succeed in the long run.
