Reach A Hand Uganda Graduates First Cohort of Women and Girls Under the Leesu Skilling Initiative in Mbarara

On 28th December, 2025 Reach A Hand Uganda marked a major milestone by graduating the first-ever cohort of 36 women and girls from the Leesu Skilling Initiative, a six-month vocational training programme aimed at equipping women and girls with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods.

The graduation ceremony was held in Kempungu Village, Kashari, Mbarara, Western Uganda at the Reach A Hand Clinic.

The initiative, implemented by Reach A Hand Uganda, focuses on empowering women and girls with practical vocational skills that can be turned into income-generating opportunities, enabling them to support their families and enhance their overall quality of life.

It offers training in basket making, hairdressing, and tailoring, skills selected to reflect local market needs and economic realities.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Humphrey Nabimanya, Chief Executive Officer of Reach A Hand Uganda, encouraged the graduates to embrace their new skills with confidence and determination, saying, “As women, you have the power to shape your own futures. 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.”

Audrey Baryagye, the Leesu Skilling Initiative Coordinator, noted the transformation witnessed among the participants, “over the six months of training, the participants showed incredible determination and growth. Beyond technical skills, they gained confidence and a renewed sense of purpose, which will allow them to positively impact their households and communities.”

Sharing her experience, Sophia, a graduate of hairdressing, described the programme as life-changing, “I always wanted to do hair professionally but didn’t have the opportunity to learn. Through Leesu, I now have the skills and confidence to earn from my work and support my family.”

The success of the programme was also credited to the dedication of local trainers. Apuli, the hairdressing instructor, praised the learners’ commitment, “The women were consistent, hardworking, and eager to learn. Seeing their progress from the beginning to graduation has been inspiring, and I am confident they will succeed beyond this programme.”

Building on the success of the inaugural cohort, Reach A Hand Uganda announced that the next intake of the Leesu Skilling Initiative will commence in January, with plans to expand its reach to empower even more women and girls in the Mbarara region.

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