Col. Edith Nakalema, the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), recently held a meeting with top academicians in the country to discuss strategies for addressing unemployment and wealth creation challenges among Ugandan youths.
The meeting, held at the SHIPU offices in Kampala, focused on brainstorming solutions to the issues facing the nation’s young population.
Col. Nakalema emphasized that Uganda’s population is predominantly composed of young people, making it crucial for stakeholders to address the concerns that affect them if the country is to achieve the much-desired socio-economic transformation. “The young people from 0 to 35 years constitute 82 percent of the population. This means the majority of Ugandans are young,” she said.
She noted that the government has implemented several interventions over the years, such as the Youth Livelihood Fund and the Presidential Skilling Program, to create jobs and wealth among the youth. However, Col. Nakalema acknowledged that despite these efforts, challenges persist, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
She advocated for a holistic approach to tackling these challenges, enabling the youth to contribute progressively to national development.
“To ensure the success of interventions designed to address the challenges faced by the youth, it is critical that targeted and focused solutions are developed to address their unique needs,” she stated.
Col. Nakalema also commended Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for his efforts in eliminating strikes at the institution. “It has been over five years now without seeing Makerere University students striking,” she remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe, in his response, advised the government to keep graduates off the streets by introducing initiatives like national service programs that keep them productive.
“Make much use of these graduates by engaging them properly. With our large population, the group that must be addressed first are the graduates because they possess organizational power and have high expectations,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe further warned that Uganda’s large unemployed graduate population could become a source of instability if not properly managed. However, he added that this same group could also drive enhanced socio-economic development if harnessed through targeted schemes.
“All the riots I have observed across the country have been driven by graduates. Every time people riot, it sets an institution back several years,” he noted.
Prof. Nawangwe proposed the Uganda Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship Transition Scheme (UGEETS) as a means to harness graduates’ skills and drive socio-economic transformation at the grassroots level.
“The main social benefit of this scheme will be the reduction in crime and social tensions that lead to civil unrest, as well as improved living standards for the population,” he explained. “Economically, it is estimated that the scheme will stimulate economic activity and increase productivity by at least 10 percent, contributing to Uganda’s revenue by at least Shs1 trillion by the fifth year of implementation.” he said
Dr. Ben Mbonye, a healthcare practitioner and consultant, echoed these concerns, noting that youth unemployment, especially among graduates, poses a security threat that could destabilize the country.
He pointed out that Uganda’s training system does not adequately address the demands of society.
“We must conduct a market survey to understand what our society needs and then align it with the training we offer, so we don’t end up with wasted resources,” Dr. Mbonye said.
He also suggested that the government establish institutions offering technical and practical skills to youths, enabling them to set up their own enterprises. “This is a preventive security measure,” he added.
Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Director of the Lung Institute at Makerere University, highlighted practical strategies for developing the country through the knowledge economy.
“The knowledge economy constitutes a significant portion of national economies. According to the US Chambers of Commerce, IP-intensive industries account for over a third of GDP. In Uganda, we have a sleeping giant that is not being attended to,” Associate Prof. Kirenga remarked.
Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a Senior Lecturer at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and Policy Analyst, called for a review of the National Youth Policy and Strategy to align it with the current needs of the young generation. “We need a complete rethink of the policy to match new trends,” he said.
He also emphasized that initiatives aimed at empowering the youth are currently scattered and need to be integrated to maximize their impact.
The former Attorney General, Hon. Fred Ruhindi, suggested that stakeholders should focus on building hope for the young generation. “We should continue engaging the youth in various forums to give them hope,” he concluded.
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