**PACEID & DIT 7th Graduation Ceremony – Mbarara Report**
**Date:** 17th – 19th May 2024
**Venue:** Booma Grounds, Mbarara City

The **Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID)**, in collaboration with the **Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT)**, hosted the **7th Graduation Ceremony** in Mbarara. The initiative, championed by **H.E. President Yoweri K. Museveni**, aims to certify individuals with practical skills who lack formal documentation, enhancing their employability and economic impact.

The event coincided with the **Men’s Conference** organized by **Covenant Nations Church (CNC)**, drawing over **9,000 participants** from the Ankole region across diverse sectors, including tailoring, agriculture, mechanical works, beauty, and technology.

### **Key Highlights:**
– **Pre-Event Preparations:** PACEID worked closely with Ankole Sub-Region leaders to ensure a well-organized event, holding strategic meetings and planning sessions.
– **Entrepreneurial Training (May 17):** Led by PACEID facilitators, sessions focused on **financial discipline, consortium formation, and quality production for export**.
– **Graduation Ceremony (May 19):** Certificates were awarded to skilled individuals in fields such as **baking, farming, plumbing, graphic design, photography, and more**.

### **Impact & Recognition:**
– A **skills exhibition** showcased the graduates’ talents, highlighting the economic potential of their expertise.
– **PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo** emphasized the role of skill development in industrial growth, value addition, and fostering unity for national progress.
– Extensive **media coverage** was provided by **TV West, NBS TV, UBC TV, New Vision, Nile Post, Capital FM Uganda**, and others.

This event underscores **PACEID’s commitment** to equipping Uganda’s workforce with **certified practical skills**, ensuring economic growth through skill-based employment and value chain development.

🔗 Watch Event Coverage:
[YouTube](https://youtu.be/SzIqdUogdlk?si=e3T9o83Cc5Ns9QxB)
[Nile Post](https://nilepost.co.ug/paceid/200509)