The Observer Monday, May 8 - 9, 2017 EUROPE DAY 21

shapes Bwaise slum dwellers

the unemployment gap in the
country. She says third-world
countries are still grappling
with unemployment, driven by
the assumption that financial
independence is synonymous
with being employed.
We want to pass on skills
about how to create a small
business in order to enhance
financial independence, Farah
says, adding, This is a good way
to sustain them once you know
the skills on how to create a
business and how to work with
other people in the microcredit
component.
Kisirisa says the funds will
cater for vocational training
and start-up kits to enable them
create their own jobs. The kick-
start was to mobilise 200 youths
to join the vocational institute
and study for six months.
He says the youths submit
their business plans, which are
scrutinised, and a small grant is
awarded with start-up capital to
open up their businesses.
Currently, we are targeting
at least 150 students each year,
who will be given the grant
through a business challenge
competition, which will help
them set up shop, Kisirisa says.
AFFCAD has also embarked on
mobilizing women and youth
BBVI students during a graphics design class
groups to start up savings and
credit organisations to help
them create access to financing
their small-scale businesses.
Also, the project will award
financial support to 150
businesses owned by young
people as support to boost their
businesses.
out of school when his mother
BENEFICIARIES
Saifulah Keeya is a resident of
for his senior four exams at
Kazo Valley SS.
Keeya was convinced by
Kisirisa to join the institute and
enhance his skills in cookery,
which he loved doing at home.
Ive learnt a lot. I can bake
cakes and lots of pastries, as
well as local and international
dishes. I am so grateful to the
centre and EU for supporting
our dreams to become our own
employers, Keeya says.
Since its inception in 2013,
1,087 students have graduated
from the vocational institution.
FUTURE PLANS
Currently, the EU-funded
project is being implemented in
Bwaise alone. Kisirisa reveals
that the project will be extended
to the other slum areas of
Kisenyi, Katwe and Kabalagala.
He reveals that under the
project, vocational training
centres similar to the one in
Bwaise will be replicated to
benefit the slum dwellers, where
immigrants and refugees live.
There are many immigrants
Nakamiro zone, Bwaise, and is in these areas; so, we want to
one of the beneficiaries of the tap into these communities
project. In 2013, Keeya dropped so that they are financially
empowered, he says.
failed to raise tuition fees to
further his studies, after he sat eyotaru@gmail.com

EUROPEAN UNION

COWI is a multidisciplinary Consultancy Firm that has
worked in Uganda for over 25 years.
We would like to join in the celebration of Europe Day on
the 9th May 2017 which also marks the 60th anniversary
of the birth of the European Union through the Treaties of
Rome. COWI has over the last 15 years had the privilege
of implementing projects in Uganda supported by the Euro-
pean Union within the Transportation and the Water Sector.
Most notable of these projects is the Design and Supervi-
sion of 160km of the Northern Corridor Route from Mbarara
through Kabale to Katuna implemented by UNRA. This
project involves the design and construction supervision
of a new bypass around Mbarara and reconstruction and
improvement of the existing road from Mbarara through
Kabale to Katuna on the Rwandan border. The additional
Kisoro link town section in Kabale has given the town a new
look.
The project is substantially complete, with only the Mbarara
bypass still under construction with a completion date of
Work ongoing on Kampala Northern Bypass Capacity Improvement
Project
September 2017. With this new road in place funded by the
EU, the European Investment Bank and the Government of
Uganda, travellers, transporters and tourists can now access
the southwest of Uganda in comfort and with considerable
time savings. COWI introduced new road safety designs on
this road and also ensured that social and environmental safe-
guards were planned and enforced.
In Kampala, UNRA are implementing the Kampala North-
ern Bypass Capacity Improvement Project which consists
of providing a second carriageway along the entire Northern
Bypass 16km from Jinja Road to Busega and convert-
ing the existing six roundabouts to flyovers. The project
is financed by the EU and the Government of Uganda with
COWI carrying out the design review and construction su-
pervision. While the project was initially behind schedule
due to land access issues, it is now progressing well and
is estimated to be complete by the end of 2018. Once the
project is complete, traffic congestion will be considerably
eased along the Northern Bypass.
COWI would like to take this opportunity to recognise the
pivotal role the European Union has played in the devel-
opment of the roads and the transport sector as a whole
in Uganda and we look forward to working with the Euro-
pean Union on future projects in Uganda for the benefit of
all Ugandans.

Northern Corridor Route under construction Northern Corridor Route, near Kabale Kisoro link - Kabale by night