Gulu University, Partners Assess Youth Empowerment Progress in Refugee-Hosting Districts

The delegation included Lamwo Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Jones Samuel Lagu and District Assistant Secretary Opio Aloyius,Opio Wilbert Asst. Resident City Commissioner Gulu city, Christine Olok Deputy mayor Gulu City, Oyoo Richard, representing the Community Development Officer, Irwenyo Richard, City Education Officer alongside other local government stake holders, refugee settlement leaders and UNHCR representatives. Gulu University was represented by its Bursar John Nyeko, Public relations officer James Onono Ojok and RETI Technical Lead Prof. Basil Mugonola.

A photo stake holders with RETI alumni Lamaro ( left).
Officials inspected ongoing Youth in Work activities and interacted with programme beneficiaries, who are undergoing vocational and enterprise skills training in areas such as poultry farming, welding and metal fabrication, tailoring, and hairdressing.
Speaking during the visit, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister said the initiative is contributing to long-term livelihood development.

A photo of catering learners in Kiryandongo.
“What we are seeing here is not just skills development, it is transformation. These young people are building sustainable futures for themselves and their communities,” an official noted.
The Rcc, Gulu city, also emphasized that empowerment begins with mindset change implying that the programe is doing great work in building a gereation that believes in hard work and execution.
UNHCR Livelihood Focal Person Okello Jimmy Tommy emphasized the importance of social cohesion within the programme.
“The collaboration between refugees and host communities is a powerful example of inclusion in action, this is progress worth scaling,” he said.
District leaders thanked the university for endeavoring to work with political stake holders harmoniously and pledged continued support to programme participants, including linking organized youth groups to government funding opportunities such as the Parish Development Model.

A photo of the PRO Gulu University interacting with RETI learners.
“We will continue supporting these young people by linking them to government programs once they are organized and registered,” said Opio Aloyius.
Participants also received certificates during the visit, marking completion of various training modules.
The RETI programme, which began in October 2023, is now in its third year of implementation and focuses on addressing youth unemployment through skills development, enterprise support, and strengthened partnerships across government and development actors.