Ministry of Gender and Labour Visits Amolatar: Supporting Jua-Kali Enterprises through the SENTE Programme

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On January 23, 2025, teams from the Ministry of Gender and Labour conducted a series of impactful visits to various groups in Amolatar, aimed at assessing the implementation progress of the Supporting Jua-Kali Enterprises to Transition into the Formal Economy (SENTE) Programme.

The delegation, led by Assistant Commissioner of industrial Relation at the ministry of gender and labor Onzama Apollo expressed heartfelt gratitude to the groups for their commitment and efforts, assuring them of ongoing support as they strive to expand their enterprises.

During these visits, participants had the opportunity to share both the challenges they face while growing their businesses and the notable achievements they have attained thus far.

Assistant Commissioner Apollo emphasized the importance of diligence and collaboration to facilitate further government assistance, reinforcing the commitment to bolster the Jua-Kali sector through the SENTE Programme.

He urged all stakeholders, especially the Jua-Kali entrepreneurs, to actively engage with this transformative initiative, which has already begun yielding significant benefits in transitioning the informal sector into a more structured economic framework.

The SENTE Programme aligns closely with the objectives outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) III, which aims to elevate the proportion of decent employment from 34.5% to 55% by formalizing the informal sector.

Furthermore, it supports the goals articulated in the NRM Manifesto for 2021-2026, particularly focusing on economic objective 2.1c that seeks to transition from informal and subsistence economies into a monetized and formal economy.

Hon. Dr. Agness Atim Apea, the Woman Member of Parliament for Amolatar, who has been pivotal in assisting local groups to leverage the benefits of the Jua-Kali Programme, highlighted that specific projects target vulnerable demographics such as school dropouts and young mothers.

These initiatives not only aim to enhance their livelihoods but also address the pressing issue of educational attrition.

She noted the emergence of additional groups, including welding collectives, which are currently facing challenges in acquiring necessary equipment, advocating for comprehensive support tailored to meet their needs.

Resident District Commissioner Francis Okello Rwotlonyo underscored the urgent need for support in Amolatar, recognizing the area as having the highest number of school dropouts and young mothers. He reaffirmed the office of the RDC’s commitment to assisting these groups in achieving sustainable livelihoods through targeted Jua-Kali projects.

Among the visited groups were the Amolatar catering groups—previously known as Can Oryem—alongside Agoga Youth tailoring, Aleblee tailoring groups, and the Onote-Uno tailoring group.

Reports indicate that the SENTE Programme has successfully extended support to a total of 781 groups, encompassing 23,891 members (10,519 males and 13,372 females) across 93 districts nationwide.

The inception of the programme in the 2016/17 cohort established a robust foundation with 87 groups and 2,618 members. Subsequent cohorts have witnessed remarkable growth, particularly in the 8th and 9th cohorts (2022/23 and 2023/24), which collectively supported 399 groups with 14,188 members. Impressively, female participation has surged in recent cohorts, with 9,457 women supported compared to 5,952 men, indicating a promising trend towards greater gender inclusivity.

Geographically, the Eastern Region has received the most robust support, accounting for 263 groups (37%), followed by the Central Region with 234 groups (33%). The Western Region benefited from assistance for 143 groups (16%), while the Northern Region saw 141 groups supported (14%).

In terms of sectoral distribution, the SENTE Programme has focused its efforts across various industries, with the Art Design, Leatherworks, Textile, and Tailoring sector leading with 283 groups.

Additional sectors include Creative Arts (93 groups), Cosmetology (149 groups), Automotive Maintenance and Repairs (59 groups), Mechanical and Metal Fabrication (68 groups), Agro-Processing (36 groups), Transport (38 groups), Food Processing (17 groups), Woodwork and Carpentry (21 groups), Information Technology (9 groups), Plumbing & Construction (7 groups), and Videography (1 group).

Funded entirely by the Government of Uganda, the SENTE Programme is engineered to stimulate job creation, enhance labor productivity, and facilitate the transition of the informal sector into the formal economy, ensuring a brighter future for the entrepreneurs of Amolatar and beyond.

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