‘THANKS TO THIS SUPPORT, I KNOW I CAN BUILD A GOOD FUTURE’

For Francis Kamugisha, a 22-year-old student at Kimuna Technical Services (KTS), the future seemed bleak when he had to drop out of school in 2021. His parents could no longer afford the school fees, and without a diploma, he saw little hope. “I really didn’t know what to do,” says Francis. “Without an education, it felt like my chances for a good job had disappeared.”

But through a friend, Francis heard about KTS, a technical school where young people like him get the chance to learn practical skills. “When I heard that I could learn a trade here, I was immediately excited,” he says. “The auto mechanic course seemed exactly what I needed. With so many cars in Uganda, I immediately saw an opportunity to earn a stable income.”

CHALLENGES WITHOUT TOOLS

Although the course gave him a new direction, Francis initially faced challenges. The lack of good tools made it difficult to fully master practical skills. “We didn’t always have the right equipment,” he explains. “Without the proper tools, it’s hard to really understand how everything works.”

That changed when Kimuna Technical Services, with the support of Gered Gereedschap, received a shipment of tools and machinery. “When we were finally able to work with the new tools, it felt like everything fell into place,” says Francis. “Finally, we could really practice with the machines and learn how to properly repair cars. It made the lessons not only clearer but also a lot more fun.”

A FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE

With this practical experience, Francis’ confidence grew. “Now I feel like I am really ready for a job as a mechanic,” he says proudly. “There are so many cars here in Uganda, and more are arriving every day. That means there will always be a demand for good mechanics, and I now know that I have those skills.”

In addition to the technical training, Francis also has the opportunity to find work directly through Makanika dot com, an app that connects mechanics with customers. “It’s great to know that I will not only be ready to work soon, but that I can also find customers through the app. That gives me hope for the future.”

Francis looks ahead with confidence. “I know that thanks to this training, I can build a good future. I’ve learned how to repair cars, but also how to earn a stable income,” he says. “This opportunity has changed everything for me.”