The Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC) in Jinja has been urged by the Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom, William Gabula Nadiope IV, to establish short-term courses specifically designed for teenage mothers and vulnerable youth. The potent call came during the college’s 16th graduation ceremony, held on Friday at its newly upgraded campus, where 366 students received certificates and diplomas in various hospitality and tourism disciplines.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Kyabazinga, Deputy Katuukiro Owek Alhaj. Ahmed Noor Osman emphasized the critical need for inclusive skilling initiatives. The monarch’s message highlighted the potential of such programs to offer a lifeline to marginalized young people, enabling them to gain employable skills and contribute positively to their communities.
The colourful event drew a distinguished array of attendees, including government officials, respected royal representatives, key development partners, and proud families, all gathered to celebrate the significant achievements of the graduates and the growing prestige of the institution.
A total of 366 students successfully completed their two-year programs at certificate and diploma levels. Notably, female graduates significantly outnumbered their male counterparts, with 284 women comprising 78% of the graduands, while 82 men accounted for the remaining 22%.
A significant 82 of these graduates benefited from an apprenticeship program, a collaborative effort funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) and implemented by the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), alongside the Ministries of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Education, and HTTC itself.
Guest of Honour, Col. (Rtd) Hon. Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the resource envelope for hospitality and tourism institutions nationwide.
“Our nation’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and the warmth of our people are assets that, when combined with appropriate skills training, will stimulate economic growth,” Minister Butime stated, underscoring the sector’s pivotal role in national development.
Earlier, HTTC Principal Richard Kawere spoke of the college’s strategic advancements. He highlighted intensive curriculum reviews and collaborations aimed at ensuring that 80% of the course content is dedicated to practical skills acquisition, thereby guaranteeing that graduates possess industry-relevant competencies vital for success in the dynamic hospitality and tourism sectors.
The Kyabazinga’s directive has set a new potential direction for HTTC, encouraging the institution to broaden its reach and impact beyond traditional academic pathways, fostering a more inclusive and skilled workforce in Busoga and Uganda at large.
