𝙋𝙐𝙈 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙔𝙈𝘾𝘼 𝙈𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙑𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙪𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙪

By Uwa Hezron

PUM Netherlands, a Dutch non-profit organisation established in 1978 by the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW) in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Mbale Branch. The partnership aims to strengthen capacity and enhance strategic planning for vocational skills training in the Bugisu sub-region.

This collaboration was formally sealed during a special event hosted by Her Excellency Frederieke Quispel, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to Uganda, at her official residence in Kololo. The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including international development, education, and vocational training.

Mr. David Mabonga, Director of YMCA Mbale Branch, was in attendance and officially signed a five-year partnership agreement on behalf of the institution. Under this agreement, YMCA Mbale and Jinja branches will receive vital support in the form of vocational tools and expert technical advice from PUM’s vast network of seasoned professionals.

With over 45 years of experience and having worked with more than 40,000 businesses across the globe, PUM boasts a pool of approximately 1,200 experts. These professionals volunteer their services, offering hands-on, on-site technical guidance. The organisation has made a positive impact in over 30 countries, supported by a network of 130 international representatives.

As part of this partnership, Dutch experts from various fields will be hosted in Mbale to work directly with YMCA instructors and trainees, thereby uplifting vocational training standards and broadening opportunities for young people in the region.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mabonga emphasized the critical role of vocational skills in national development. 

“We call upon the public to value the acquisition of vocational skills, not only for self-reliance but also as a pillar for economic growth. Reducing unemployment among Uganda’s energetic youth population depends on our ability to enhance production across all sectors,” he said.

This landmark collaboration marks a new chapter for YMCA Mbale and the broader Bugisu sub-region as it sets the stage for increased productivity, innovation and job creation through hands-on, technical education.