Over 60 refugee youth graduate from FCA Creators hub in Uganda

Kampala, Uganda – October 24, 2025: Finn Church Aid (FCA) Uganda has graduated more than 60 refugee and host community youth after completing four months of intensive training in Digital & Creative Economies, as well as Functional Carpentry & Woodwork.

The training, part of the Digital and Creative Economies (DICE) Project supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and FCA, equips marginalized youth with market-relevant skills in the digital and creative economy.

It also facilitates their transition into dignified income opportunities through structured incubation, acceleration, and business visibility initiatives.

The project further strengthens collaboration with creative sector actors, incubators, and local institutions to deliver inclusive, gender-responsive and youth-driven services.

The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR, FCA partners and private sector employers.

The event was also graced by Ms. Melina Korvenkontio, Head of the Digital & Creative Economies Program at the FCA Service and Accountability Centre (SAC) in Helsinki, whose contributions have been instrumental in supporting the DICE Project.

Ms. Melina Korvenkontio (second right), Head of the Digital & Creative Economies Program, shares words of encouragement with the graduates.

Pathways to employment

As a direct outcome of the program, 10 graduates have secured employment with Masterwood Furniture LTD, one of Uganda’s leading furniture firms, while others have developed digital applications and obtained positions in various tech companies.

Mr. Arnold Atukwase, Managing Director of Masterwood Furniture LTD (left), with some of his newly recruited graduates

“Providing young people with the right skills and opportunities opens doors not just for themselves, but for their communities as well,” said Mr. Stephen Ssenkima, Deputy Country Director at FCA Uganda. “This graduation proves what can be achieved when talent is nurtured.”

“This is a celebration of talent and transformation,” said Julian Ateme, representing UNHCR Uganda. “You have turned learning into opportunity, and opportunity into possibility. Congratulations to all the graduates for taking bold steps toward shaping a brighter future.”

Ms. Ateme also appreciated FCA for skilling refugees and following up to ensure that the skills imparted are being effectively applied.

Proud graduates celebrating their achievements.

Youth making their mark

Among the graduates is 23-year-old Ariam Yohannes, a refugee from Eritrea who fled to Uganda in 2022 with little more than hope and determination.

Ariam Yohannes is excited to create digital solutions to improve access to information and opportunities.

“It wasn’t easy coming here alone,” Ariam recalls.

“But at the Creators Hub, I found both skills and family. I’ve learnt web development, from HTML and CSS to Node.js, and even built apps that solve real problems.”

Ariam has developed various applications, including a Bible Verse Finder, a CV Builder app and a Digital Literacy app co-developed with her peers.

Her dream is to become a full software developer and create a platform that connects people with shared interests in their communities.

“Information Technology is the easiest and most valuable thing in the world right now,” she says. “It doesn’t stop; it always improves. The world depends on it.”

For Jaques Bavurhe, a 23-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the journey has been one of persistence and growth. After struggling to afford university, he found new purpose through FCA’s programs.

Jaques Bavurhe appreciates FCA for the free digital skills that changed his life.

“There’s nowhere else I could get such good skills for free,” Jaques says.

“The DICE project introduced me to back-end web development and graphic design. Now I’m working remotely for a company in the U.S. and as a digital marketer at Infocode Consults, a Kampala-based tech firm,” he added.

His message to other young people is one of encouragement:

“Chase every opportunity that comes your way. Keep improving your skills. If I hadn’t taken different courses, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

The graduation ceremony marks another milestone in FCA’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth through education and innovation. By providing digital, creative, and vocational training, FCA continues to open pathways for self-reliance and meaningful employment among refugee and host community youth in Uganda.

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Text: Linda Kabuzire

Images: Rose Awien