Build Uganda’s future through market-driven vocational training

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OPINION

By Mercy Akankunda

The future of work in Uganda is changing fast. The rise of digital technology, e-commerce, renewable energy, and mobile connectivity is redefining how young people earn a living. To prepare the youth for this evolving landscape, vocational training must embrace innovation and digital skills alongside traditional trades. This fusion of practical and technological learning can help Uganda bridge its employment gap and unlock the creativity of its young population.

According to UBOS, more than 400,000 young people enter Uganda’s job market each year, yet only a fraction find formal employment. Many are skilled in trades like tailoring, carpentry, or hairdressing, but few have digital literacy that can connect them to wider markets. A 2024 report by the World Bank shows that about 28 percent of Ugandans use the internet, with the number steadily increasing as smartphone ownership expands. This digital growth presents a powerful opportunity for youth if vocational training is adapted to include modern technology.

Imagine a rural tailor trained not only in sewing but also in digital marketing able to advertise designs on social media and sell to clients across the country. Or a solar technician equipped with both technical and digital knowledge who can monitor systems using mobile apps. This combination of hands-on skill and innovation is the foundation of future livelihoods. According to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, digital skilling could increase youth employability by up to 40 percent if integrated into national training programs.

The government has begun to act through initiatives like the Digital Uganda Vision, which promotes ICT access and innovation across sectors. The Private Sector Foundation Uganda and several youth innovation hubs have also started offering digital literacy and coding boot camps for young entrepreneurs. However, these programs are still concentrated in cities like Kampala and Jinja, leaving most rural youth behind. Expanding access to digital vocational training in all regions is essential to ensure no young Ugandan is left out of the digital economy.

Digital skilling is not just about computers; it includes e-commerce, digital financial literacy, mobile app usage, and renewable energy technology. For instance, training young people to install and maintain solar systems equips them to serve the growing demand for off-grid power in rural Uganda. Others can learn how to use mobile money and online platforms to manage small businesses more efficiently. As the global economy shifts toward green and digital sectors, Uganda must prepare its youth to compete.

The integration of digital learning into vocational training also encourages innovation. According to a 2023 UNESCO report, youth who combine technical and ICT skills are more likely to start businesses and employ others. Digital tools make it easier to access markets, find clients, and collaborate online, transforming local trades into sustainable enterprises.

For Uganda, the goal should be clear: make vocational training forward-looking and technology-driven. Partnerships between government, private companies, and NGOs can help provide training equipment, internet access, and mentorship to youth centres. If every vocational institute included a digital skills module, thousands of young people would be equipped not only to work but also to innovate.

Uganda’s youth are already proving that they can adapt quickly to change. All they need are opportunities and the right tools. Investing in innovation and digital skilling is an investment in national progress, one that ensures every young Ugandan, from the city to the village, can build a sustainable livelihood in a rapidly changing world. As the World Bank recently observed, nations that invest early in digital skills will lead the next wave of inclusive economic growth. Uganda should make sure its youth are part of that future.

It is therefore crucial for the government, private sector, and development partners to prioritise funding for digital vocational training programs, provide internet access to rural training centres, and support innovation hubs across the country. With the right partnerships, Uganda can create a generation of digitally skilled youth ready to shape its economic future.

The writer works with Proven Foundation

Mercyakankunda124@gmail.com