By Walter Okello I 11/6/2026
The Foundation for Integrated Rural Development (FIRD) with other partner clusters with support from Children Rigts and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF) officially launched the Safe Sente Hub in Lira City, an innovative space designed to empower young people with financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and practical knowledge to improve their livelihoods and economic resilience.
The Safe Sente Hub, unveiled during a ceremony attended by district leaders, development partners, youth representatives, mentors, and community members, will serve as a community-based learning and support center where young people can access financial education, mentorship, business development opportunities, and information on income-generating activities.
The initiative is being implemented under the Children Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF) programme and seeks to address the growing need for financial literacy and economic empowerment among young people, particularly those transitioning into adulthood and the workforce.
Speaking at the launch, Denis Omunyokol, Programmes Coordinator at FIRD, said the Hub is intended to provide a safe and supportive environment where young people can learn responsible financial management, discuss business opportunities, and develop sustainable saving habits.
“We want to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to earn, manage, and grow their money responsibly. Through the Safe Sente Hub, young people will have a platform to share ideas, learn from one another, and participate in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as a pathway to financial independence,” Omunyokol said.
He said the Safe Sente Hub is expected to host regular learning sessions, mentorship engagements, peer-to-peer discussions, entrepreneurship clinics, and savings promotion activities.
“Through these interventions, FIRD and its partners hope to build a generation of financially literate, economically resilient, and self-reliant young people capable of driving sustainable development within their communities.” He added.
Youth having a photo moment
Thompson Amanda Agaba, Regional Communications Coordinator at the Children’s Rights and Violence Prevention Fund(CRVPF), said many young people leave school without basic financial literacy skills despite entering the workforce and earning income.
“Financial literacy is rarely taught in schools, yet young people are expected to manage money and make important financial decisions. This project is helping bridge that gap by equipping youth with practical financial knowledge,” Agaba said.
She added that the Sente Hub will also help protect young people from exploitative and unsafe working environments through empowering them to discuss their business and understand more about saving and generating money.
She said they initiated Empowering Youth Through Data and Community Development, aimed at equipping young people to be trained in vocational skills such as shoemaking, tailoring(making gowns), and other marketable trades that can enable them to earn a sustainable income.
Agaba said the project aims to strengthen youth capacity, promote self-reliance, and create economic opportunities that will enable young people to contribute positively to their communities.
Christine Anono, the Lira District Community Development Officer, described the initiative of creating a learning environment where young people can acquire financial literacy skills as a timely intervention that will help them develop a saving culture.
“Saving money is not easy. When I started saving, I found it very difficult and painful. It took me quite some time to adapt to the culture of saving. If young people are equipped with financial literacy skills, they will be able to save money and improve their livelihoods,” Anono said.
Anono speaking to youth
She added that for youth to save effectively, they should engage in income-generating activities and remain disciplined and determined in their saving efforts.
Anono further cautioned young people against rushing to acquire loans to start businesses, warning that failed ventures could leave them burdened with debts they may struggle to repay.”Start by saving money and establishing your business. Once the business is stable, you can then consider taking a loan to expand it.” she advised.