NELSON K
Members of the Rukungiri United Technicians Association (UTA) have been urged to embrace accountability, creativity, and innovation while prioritizing hands-on skills to overcome poverty and promote rural industrial development.
The call was made by Pastor Imaana Ishimwe Jonah during a UTA sensitization ceremony held this afternoon at Rukungiri Main Stadium in Rukungiri Municipality.
Pastor Imaana Ishimwe encouraged members to recognize that God has given them the authority and capacity to create and manufacture through their hands. He urged them to embrace creativity, innovation, and accountability by starting self-employment ventures and rural manufacturing industries to lift their families out of poverty. He also advised married couples to practice family planning to ensure manageable family sizes, which would help in poverty reduction.
Additionally, Pastor Imaana emphasized the importance of accountability and hard work, reminding members that when God created the earth, He intended for mankind to use the available resources to create employment rather than seek jobs. He promised that God would bless the work of their hands but condemned the tendency of many youths spending up to eight hours on social media instead of engaging in productive activities.
UTA Chairperson Magezi Philip, in his remarks, shared the association’s journey since its inception in 2019 with just 16 members. Despite some dropouts, membership has now grown to 216. He expressed appreciation to the association’s leadership and members for their commitment to accountability and progress.
Magezi highlighted the association’s core goals, which include providing free training in technical skills, job and wealth creation, marketing local products, creating employment opportunities for skilled personnel, establishing savings and loan schemes, fostering patriotism, and driving mindset change. He called on both the public and government to support their savings initiative.
Mutaremwa Edson Best, the association’s Public Relations Officer, shared insights from his time working in Saudi Arabia, where he observed industrialization and craft production. Inspired by this experience, he has been committed to promoting employment opportunities in Africa. Best called on the government to support UTA by establishing an industrial hub in Rukungiri District and providing machinery to facilitate job creation and rural industrial development.
Kyarimpa Ronald, commonly known as Kankonkoma, director of Kankonkoma Garage, together with Beyongyera Innocent Baller, who represented Hon. Andrew Kikira, appreciated the members for their dedication. They acknowledged Hon. Kikira’s financial support of UGX 1 million and a water donation to the association. They urged youth to join UTA to develop their skills and craft talents, which would improve their livelihoods and create self-employment opportunities.
They further emphasized the need for government support and rural industrialization as a pathway to job creation and poverty alleviation.
Rukungiri Municipal Council Officer Owoyesigire Perry praised UTA’s focus on creativity and innovation. He encouraged members to remain committed to their objectives of job creation through hands-on skills and assured them that the government is ready to support their initiatives.
Perry also advised the association to complete its legal registration for official recognition and prominence. Additionally, he cautioned members and leaders against involvement with politicians, warning that politicians often have their own agendas and may later abandon them.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from UTA members to advance their skills, foster innovation, and contribute to rural industrial development.
