The head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema, today held a productive meeting with leading academics to address youth unemployment and wealth creation challenges in Uganda.
The meeting, held at SHIPU’s offices in Kampala, focused on developing strategies to improve opportunities for young people, who make up the majority of Uganda’s population.
Col. Nakalema emphasized the importance of addressing the issues faced by Uganda’s youth to achieve socio-economic transformation. “Young people, aged 0 to 35, represent 82% of the population, meaning most Ugandans are young,” she said. She acknowledged the government’s existing efforts, such as the Youth Livelihood Fund and the Presidential Skilling Initiative, aimed at creating jobs and wealth for the youth, but noted that challenges persist, leading to dissatisfaction.
Advocating for a more comprehensive approach, Col. Nakalema called for targeted solutions to help young people contribute meaningfully to national development. She also praised Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for successfully eliminating student strikes at the institution. “It has been over five years without Makerere University students striking,” she said.
Prof. Nawangwe advised the government to engage graduates in national initiatives like public service programs to keep them productive. “With a large population, we must focus on graduates because they have organizational power and high expectations,” he said. He cautioned that the growing number of unemployed graduates could lead to instability but could also drive socio-economic development if managed properly.
To address this, Prof. Nawangwe proposed the Uganda Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship Transition Scheme (UGEETS), which aims to harness graduates’ skills for grassroots development. He highlighted the economic benefits, estimating the scheme could stimulate economic activity, improve productivity by 10%, and contribute at least Shs1 trillion to Uganda’s revenue within five years.
Dr. Ben Mbonye, a healthcare practitioner and consultant, warned that youth unemployment, particularly among graduates, poses a security threat. He stressed the need for practical training that aligns with market demands, urging the government to establish institutions that equip youths with technical skills to create their own enterprises. “This is a preventive security measure,” he said.
Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Director of Makerere University’s Lung Institute, emphasized the potential of the knowledge economy. “Knowledge-based industries contribute significantly to national economies. In Uganda, we have an untapped giant,” he said.
Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a senior lecturer at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), called for a review of the National Youth Policy and Strategy to better address the current needs of young people. He stressed the importance of integrating various youth empowerment initiatives to maximize their impact.
Former Attorney General Fred Ruhindi urged stakeholders to foster hope among the youth by continually engaging them through various platforms. “We must give young people hope for the future,” he said.
This meeting highlights the ongoing efforts to develop innovative, focused solutions to tackle youth unemployment and drive socio-economic transformation in Uganda.
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