Makerere launches creativity campaign

By Job Bwire

MAKERERE University has launched a multimillion campaign on character and creativity as part of its initiative to empower students with relevant skills in the competitive job market.

The campaign is intended to build integrity and creativity in youth, especially students and also position them for success in life, higher education, career, family and for leadership. 

It is also intended to curb on the skyrocketing and worrying figures of youth unemployment (83%) in the country.

The campaign dubbed Character and Creativity Initiative (CCI) was launched on Saturday by the University Guild in conjunction with Global Peace Foundation Uganda, an international movement for promoting world peace and integrity for good governance and leadership.

“Over time, students from Makerere have been accused of incompetence and bad character especially in places of work. The evidently rampant corrupt tendencies in the country are also partly to be blamed on lack of good character and integrity,” said Joseph Byaruhanga, director for higher education in the ministry of Education and sports.

According to Byaruhanga therefore, students need to be empowered with such manipulative, creative thinking and foresight as the ones highlighted by CCI so as to fit in the current competitive society and job market.

“They (students) also need to go an extra mile beyond what they just learn in class to a level of being innovative and that is how they will survive in society,” he added.

The program is also part of the initiative for the restoration of Makerere’s glory that has gradually been lost over time.

“Makerere has been known for strikes, sexual immorality, and drug abuse, among other social misconduct. However, with the CCI campaign, it will help change students’ attitudes and the public’s general stereotype against university,” said Milton Kambula, country director Global Peace Foundation. 

According to Kambula, CCI is a model developed by organization to involve university students in spearheading integrity in their home districts and also leading ethical and productive lifestyle in society.

“By doing so, the students become ambassadors and agents for peace and community transformation, in line with Uganda vision 2040,” added Kambula.

Mukesh Shukra, the chief Executive officer (CEO) Shumuk group of companies also implored students to practice good character and also exercise their innovativeness for better opportunities in the highly competitive job market.

He however expressed his disappointment at the slow modification process of Uganda’s education system, saying it has denied the job market students with relevant skills.

Shukra also urged government to come up with programmes through which students, especially fresh graduates can be exposed to the available opportunities in the job market.

“There are so many opportunities in the job market yet what graduates lack is information and exposure to such opportunities, thus worsening the challenge of unemployment problem in the country,” said Shukra.