MBARARA, Uganda — Reach A Hand Uganda CEO Humphrey Nabimanya challenged 36 women and girls to take control of their economic destinies during the inaugural graduation of the Leesu Skilling Initiative on Sunday.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Reach A Hand Clinic in Kempungu Village, Nabimanya emphasized that the six months of vocational training the students completed was merely the beginning of their journey toward independence.
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“As women, you have the power to shape your own futures,” Nabimanya told the graduates. “Use these skills not just to earn a living, but to uplift yourselves, your families and your communities. Your empowerment today is the foundation for a stronger tomorrow.”
The graduates formed the first-ever cohort of the program, which provides hands-on training in hairdressing, tailoring and basket making. The curriculum was designed to align with the specific economic needs of the Mbarara region, ensuring the women could immediately enter the local market.
Audrey Baryagye, the initiative’s coordinator, said the transformation in the participants extended beyond technical abilities. She noted that the women walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and the confidence to manage their own households.
For graduates like Sophia, who studied hairdressing, the ceremony represented a turning point in her life.
“I always wanted to do hair professionally but did not have the opportunity to learn,” she said. “Through Leesu, I now have the skills and confidence to earn from my work and support my family.”
The program’s success was also credited to local instructors who praised the consistency and hard work of the learners.
Building on the momentum of this first group, Reach A Hand Uganda announced that the Leesu Skilling Initiative will open its next intake in January. The organization plans to expand the program to reach more women across the Mbarara region in 2026.
