By Reuben Olita -Busia
Single mothers in Busia County on Saturday resolved to establish a Skills and Empowerment Centre for Single Mothers aimed at enhancing self-reliance and improving livelihoods.
The resolution was reached during a consultative meeting held at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Busia Town, where participants agreed that a dedicated centre would enable single mothers to acquire practical skills, access entrepreneurship training, and benefit from both county and national government empowerment programs.
Speaking to the press, the chairlady of the single mothers’ group, Beatrice Opwapo said the proposed centre will focus on vocational training, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and psychosocial support, while also serving as a platform for mentorship and peer networking.
Opwapo, who is also the Busia County Nominated MCA noted that the initiative will address challenges facing single mothers, including unemployment, poverty, social stigma, and limited access to skills across the county.
She termed the centre a timely intervention aligned with Busia County’s empowerment and inclusive development agenda.
Hon. Opwapo called on the Busia County Government, development partners, and well-wishers to support the initiative.
The women also agreed to venture into fish farming as one of their income-generating activities.
The meeting was attended by Matayos Constituency parliamentary aspirant for the 2027 General Election, Humphrey Nakitari, and senatorial aspirant Beneditte Muyomi.
Mr. Nakitari lauded Hon. Opwapo for spearheading the initiative, saying it would significantly uplift the economic status of single mothers. He later donated a sewing machine to support the women’s empowerment efforts.
Ms. Muyomi urged the Busia County Government to allocate funds specifically to support single mothers and pledged to personally support them through table banking initiatives.
