Don Bosco Vtc Palabek Showcases Innovation and Entrepreneurship at JA Uganda Exhibition 2026

Palabek, Lamwo – 18 September 2026: Don Bosco Vocational Training Center (VTC) Palabek came alive on Friday, 18 September 2026, as students from different departments showcased their creativity, technical skills and entrepreneurial ideas during the Junior Achievement (JA) Uganda Business Skills Exhibition 2026.

The one-day exhibition brought together students, staff, parents, government representatives, community leaders and development partners to celebrate the practical skills and business ideas developed by learners at the institution. Representatives from different departments presented products and services designed to respond to real needs within the Palabek Refugee Settlement and the surrounding host communities.

Turning Skills into Business Opportunities

In his opening remarks, the Principal of Don Bosco VTC Palabek, Fr. Jean Bosco Nteringanya, encouraged students to be creative, confident and intentional in using their skills and opportunities. He also appreciated the management, government authorities, JA Uganda, partners and parents for their contribution to the development of the students.

The exhibition featured a wide range of student-led enterprises, including Arise and Shine JA Company from Hairdressing, Amazing Grace Solar and Electrical, Rise and Shine Beauty Bags, Metal Doctors, God’s Mercy Electrical, Concrete Production Company, Farm to Flavor JA Company, and MCM Original Auto Parts.

Innovative Solutions for the Community

Students demonstrated how vocational skills can be transformed into practical solutions for everyday challenges.

Rise and Shine Beauty Bags produces waterproof school bags for children, helping address the challenge of pupils carrying books by hand or having their books damaged by rain. The team also highlighted transportation costs for materials as one of its challenges while expressing ambitions to expand beyond the local market.

At the Concrete Production Company, students showcased tiles and pavers, including plastic pavers made using recycled plastic bottles. The initiative combines business development with efforts to reduce plastic waste and environmental degradation.

Farm to Flavor demonstrated the potential of locally available resources by producing avocado and passion-fruit juice, candy, cakes and hibiscus wine. The enterprise also uses recycled plastics for packaging as part of its efforts to reduce environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, MCM Original Auto Parts specializes in assembling and repairing motorcycles, generators and walking tractors. The business continues to grow through customer care and honesty, although the cost of transporting materials remains a challenge. Students were encouraged to consider market location carefully and take their services closer to where they are needed.

Skills that Respond to Community Needs

Other enterprises demonstrated the broad range of opportunities available through vocational training.

Students from Hairdressing showcased the production of high-quality hand-tied wigs, focusing on durable products that can help customers save both time and money.

Amazing Grace Electronic and Electrical JA Company demonstrated services including phone charging and repair, solar-system installation, electrical installation, house wiring and rewiring.

In Welding, Metal Doctors produced practical metal products such as dustbins, rubbish scoopers and door catches. The initiative was appreciated for responding to products commonly used within the Palabek community.

Former students also addressed social and community challenges. Ecoease developed reusable menstrual kits aimed at supporting girls to remain in school, while Trust Fresh produced an affordable liquid kitchen cleaner for removing grease, stains and stubborn food residues. Glow Root, through its SINA product, focused on providing affordable and nutritious porridge flour to support children’s growth and development.

Encouragement from Partners and Community Leaders

The exhibition also provided an opportunity for partners and community leaders to encourage the students to connect their technical skills with entrepreneurship and community problem-solving.

A representative from Junior Achievement Uganda emphasized the importance of linking skills to business opportunities and using technical knowledge to solve challenges within the community. JA Uganda works internationally to promote entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial inclusion.

Representatives from the local leadership and parents’ committee also praised the students and staff for demonstrating the practical outcomes of vocational education. They encouraged learners to continue developing their skills and seek opportunities to apply them in the workplace and community.

The Office of the Prime Minister representative for Palabek Refugee Settlement, Mr. Tom Tausi, commended the progress made in the exhibition and encouraged the student enterprises to formalize their businesses and explore opportunities connected to refugee and host-community programmes. He also encouraged stronger links between the institution, local markets, logistics and procurement opportunities.

Celebrating Student Achievement

The exhibition concluded with recognition of the enterprises that stood out in the 2026 JA Uganda Skills Competition at Don Bosco VTC Palabek.

Rise and Shine Beauty Bag Enterprise emerged as the winner, followed by God’s Mercy JA Electrical from Solar and Electrical Level 2 as runner-up. Timberland Furniture Company Ltd from the Carpentry and Joinery Department took third position.

For Don Bosco VTC Palabek, the exhibition was more than a competition. It was a demonstration of how competency-based vocational training can equip young people with practical skills, entrepreneurial confidence and the ability to develop solutions to challenges within their communities.

The event also strengthened the connection between vocational training, entrepreneurship, environmental responsibility and community development—reflecting Don Bosco’s commitment to empowering young people with skills for meaningful livelihoods.