Jeannette Kagame launches Imbuto Hub to equip youth with skills, opportunities

By The Inspirer. 

First Lady Jeannette Kagame has officially inaugurated the Imbuto Hub in Bugesera District, a one-stop community facility designed to equip young people and families with skills, health services and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

The facility, established by Imbuto Foundation in Nyamata Sector, was officially opened on Friday, July 24, 2026, after three months of operation. It brings together a range of services aimed at supporting people at different stages of life, with a strong focus on youth empowerment.

Imbuto Hub Bugesera offers vocational training in areas including tailoring, hairdressing, information technology and other practical skills that enable young people to pursue employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Speaking at the launch, Jeannette Kagame, Chairperson of Imbuto Foundation, said the hub represents a new chapter in the organisation’s 25-year journey of investing in people through education, skills development and access to opportunities.

“For 25 years, we have been planting seeds of knowledge, opportunity and hope. Some have already borne fruit, while others continue to grow because building people is not a one-day task,” she said.

She said the Imbuto Hub initiative was created to bring essential services closer to communities, providing children, youth and parents with access to learning, health support, mentorship and platforms to develop their talents.

“An Imbuto Hub is not just a building. It is a home that brings together these services and supports people through every stage of life, from childhood and youth to parenthood,” she said.

Imbuto Foundation Director General Shami Elodie said the hubs are designed to strengthen communities by promoting education, recreation, digital literacy and family engagement.

She called on communities to take ownership of the facilities, noting that the impact of the hubs will depend on how people use them to create positive change.

The Bugesera hub has vocational training rooms, a health centre, sports facilities and spaces for community activities.

Since opening, 117 young people have received vocational and technical skills training at the centre. Among them are 56 youth enrolled in beauty training, including hairdressing and styling, while others are being trained in tailoring and other skills.

The health unit has provided services to 875 people, including reproductive health counselling, mental health support, education on non-communicable diseases and sexually transmitted infections, as well as screening services.

The facility also features football, volleyball, basketball and karate spaces where young people can nurture their talents and pursue ambitions in sports.

Imbuto Hubs are part of an initiative by Imbuto Foundation to establish similar centres across all 30 districts of Rwanda. Construction of other hubs is underway in several districts, including Kicukiro, Muhanga and Gasabo.