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By Ben Musanje
It was a day of celebration at Uganda Management Institute (UMI), but Chief Justice “Justice Flavian Zeija” delivered a warning that cut through the applause and academic excitement, cautioning graduates that the global job market is undergoing a dramatic transformation that will demand urgent adaptation.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the 23rd graduation ceremony held in Kampala along Jinja Road on Friday, where 4,087 graduands were awarded qualifications including 11 PhDs, 801 master’s degrees, 3,266 postgraduate diplomas and nine ordinary diplomas Justice Flavian Zeija told graduates that the future of work is increasingly uncertain unless workers embrace continuous learning and reskilling.
He began on a congratulatory note, saying the day belonged to the graduands whose academic gowns and certificates symbolized years of sacrifice, discipline and resilience. He also commended parents, spouses and guardians for their support, noting that their contribution had directly shaped the success being celebrated.
Justice Zeija also praised UMI leadership and faculty, describing the institution as a long-standing centre of excellence in management, leadership and public administration that continues to produce professionals who shape national development.
However, his address quickly shifted from celebration to warning as he turned attention to global labour market trends.
Citing the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, Justice Zeija cautioned that an estimated 59% of the global workforce will require re-skilling by 2030 due to rapid technological advancement, economic shifts, demographic changes and the global green transition.
He warned that while re-skilling is widely discussed, not all workers will have access to it, raising concerns about widening inequality in the labour market.
The Chief Justice emphasized that Uganda, like the rest of the world, is not insulated from these changes and must urgently prepare its workforce for emerging realities.
He explained that new technologies, artificial intelligence and digital transformation are reshaping how work is done, adding that traditional job roles are being redesigned or replaced altogether.
According to Justice Zeija, the global economy is expected to create jobs equivalent to 14% of current employment levels, while simultaneously displacing about 92 million roles, resulting in a net gain of approximately 78 million jobs.
He challenged both graduates and institutions to consider whether they are prepared to compete for those emerging opportunities.
Zeija outlined several growing job categories, including software developers, project managers, agricultural workers, healthcare professionals, delivery drivers, construction workers and education professionals, noting that even traditional management roles will remain relevant but require new skill sets.
At the same time, he pointed out that several roles are expected to decline, including cashiers, administrative assistants, secretaries, clerks, security guards and some manual service jobs, largely due to automation and artificial intelligence.
He used the example of how digital technologies have replaced traditional secretarial work to illustrate the speed of workplace transformation.
Justice Flavian Zeija urged UMI and other higher education institutions to continuously review their academic programmes in line with emerging global trends, emphasizing competence-based learning and digital literacy.
He stressed that universities must go beyond producing graduates and actively participates in re-skilling the existing workforce to remain competitive.
Turning to governance and leadership, he reminded graduates that under Article 1 of Uganda’s Constitution, power belongs to the people, meaning that every policy decision ultimately affects ordinary citizens.
He emphasized that management is not neutral, describing it as either a tool for justice or a mechanism for inefficiency, and urged graduates to choose justice.
Drawing from his judicial experience, Justice Flavian Zeija said the justice system regularly encounters consequences of poor management, including corruption, delays and abuse of office.
He urged graduates to uphold integrity in all their professional roles, stressing those ethical decisions, even at individual level, can restore public trust in institutions.
He further challenged graduates to take their skills beyond formal offices and apply them in real-life environments such as markets, rural communities and informal sectors where many Ugandans live and work.
Zeija noted that Uganda’s development challenges will not be solved only in boardrooms but also in districts such as Karamoja, West Nile and Kigezi, where citizens experience governance outcomes directly.
Justice Flavian Zeija also emphasized that strong institutions outlive strong individuals, urging graduates to focus on systems-building rather than personality-driven leadership.
He encouraged them to become innovators, job creators and ethical leaders who leave institutions stronger than they found them.
Reflecting on reforms within the judiciary, he highlighted the introduction of electronic case management systems and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, noting that such changes require skilled professionals in ICT, performance management and change leadership.
He concluded by urging graduates to embrace honesty, adaptability and lifelong learning, saying Uganda does not need perfect managers but honest ones committed to service and accountability.
He ended his address with a blessing for the graduates, UMI, the judiciary and the country, calling on all stakeholders to work together in preparing Uganda’s workforce for a rapidly changing global economy.(For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
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