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The National Graduate Employment Programme can tame the youth bulge
With over 73% of the population under the age of 30, this bulge poses a stark fork in the road and can either become a powerful dividend or a devastating disaster.
Dr Ruth Aisha Biyinzika Kasolo. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Dr Ruth Aisha Biyinzika Kasolo
After successfully holding a general election in January this year, we should realise that Uganda’s youth bulge is one of the most critical socio-economic factors defining the country’s future.
With over 73% of the population under the age of 30, this bulge poses a stark fork in the road and can either become a powerful dividend or a devastating disaster.
I write to respectfully urge Your Excellency to prioritise and operationalise the Graduate Employment Programme that was proposed during your election campaign and incorporated into your development vision for Uganda.
The time has come to transform this promise into a functioning national programme capable of unlocking the immense potential of Uganda’s youthful population.
As the renowned economist Adam Smith observed in The Wealth of Nations: “The wealth of nations lies not in their natural resources, but in the productive capacities of their people.”
Uganda today possesses one of the youngest populations in the world. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, more than 73% of our population is below the age of 30, while nearly two-thirds are below 25 years.
This youthful demographic presents a historic opportunity, but it also poses one of the greatest socio-economic challenges our country has ever faced.
I write to respectfully urge Your Excellency to prioritise and operationalise the Graduate Employment Programme that was proposed during your election campaign and incorporated into your development vision for Uganda.
The time has come to transform this promise into a functioning national programme capable of unlocking the immense potential of Uganda’s youthful population.
As the renowned economist Adam Smith observed in The Wealth of Nations: “The wealth of nations lies not in their natural resources, but in the productive capacities of their people.”
Uganda today possesses one of the youngest populations in the world. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, more than 73% of our population is below the age of 30, while nearly two-thirds are below 25 years.
This youthful demographic presents a historic opportunity, but it also poses one of the greatest socio-economic challenges our country has ever faced.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of young Ugandans graduate from universities, tertiary institutions and vocational schools with hopes of contributing to national development.
Unfortunately, many find themselves trapped in unemployment, underemployment or low-paying informal work. Estimates indicate that between 75% and 80% of young workers operate within the informal economy where productivity is low, earnings are unstable and social protection is virtually non-existent.
This reality creates a dangerous disconnect between education and opportunity. Government has invested heavily in expanding access to education through Universal Primary Education, Universal Secondary Education and the growth of higher learning institutions, yet the economy has not generated sufficient opportunities to absorb the growing number of graduates entering the labour market every year.
Mr President, during the campaign period, your commitment to establishing a Graduate Employment Programme was presented as a practical mechanism for supporting graduates with training, mentorship, work placements and access to start-up resources.
However, since then, there has been limited public communication regarding its implementation. Young people are increasingly asking what became of this important programme and when it will finally be rolled out.
The urgency of activating this programme cannot be overstated. If properly harnessed, our youth population can become a powerful demographic dividend that accelerates economic growth, innovation and industrialisation in Uganda.
If neglected, however, the consequences could include rising frustration, crime, social instability, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and increased vulnerability to exploitation.
The Graduate Employment Programme offers an opportunity to bridge the gap between education and employment. It could provide structured internships, apprenticeships, mentorship opportunities, entrepreneurship training and start-up financing for graduates.
It could also connect universities with industry and ensure that graduates acquire practical workplace experience before entering the labour market.
I respectfully propose that the programme be implemented through a partnership involving the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the private sector, local governments, universities, and agencies, such as Enterprise Uganda.
Enterprise Uganda, in particular, could be refocused and strengthened to nurture graduate entrepreneurship, business incubation and enterprise development.
The programme should be inclusive, transparent and accessible to graduates from all regions of the country regardless of political affiliation, social background or economic status. Every graduate should have a clear pathway either into employment, skills development, entrepreneurship or further professional training immediately after completing their studies.
Additionally, the Government should consider allocating dedicated funding to support graduate-led enterprises, particularly in strategic sectors identified under Uganda’s development agenda.
These sectors include commercial agriculture, agro-processing, information and communications technology, tourism, mineral value-addition, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and the digital economy. The experiences of countries, such as China, Singapore, South Korea and India, demonstrate that youthful populations become engines of prosperity when governments deliberately invest in skills development, industrialisation, innovation and job creation.
Uganda can adapt these lessons to its own circumstances while building upon existing initiatives, such as the Presidential Industrial Hubs and the National Development Plans.
Mr President, history has placed Uganda in a unique position. Few nations possess such a large reservoir of youthful energy, creativity and ambition. The question before us is whether we will transform this demographic advantage into national prosperity or allow it to become a source of frustration and lost opportunity. The ticking clock of demography waits for no nation.
The window of opportunity is open today, but it will not remain open forever. Uganda’s youth are not a burden. They are our greatest national asset. With your visionary leadership and deliberate action, they can become the driving force behind Uganda’s transformation into a more prosperous, industrialised and middle-income nation.
The writer is a woman empowerment advocate and member of the board of the Presidential CEO Forum
Unfortunately, many find themselves trapped in unemployment, underemployment or low-paying informal work. Estimates indicate that between 75% and 80% of young workers operate within the informal economy where productivity is low, earnings are unstable and social protection is virtually non-existent.
This reality creates a dangerous disconnect between education and opportunity. Government has invested heavily in expanding access to education through Universal Primary Education, Universal Secondary Education and the growth of higher learning institutions, yet the economy has not generated sufficient opportunities to absorb the growing number of graduates entering the labour market every year.
Mr President, during the campaign period, your commitment to establishing a Graduate Employment Programme was presented as a practical mechanism for supporting graduates with training, mentorship, work placements and access to start-up resources.
However, since then, there has been limited public communication regarding its implementation. Young people are increasingly asking what became of this important programme and when it will finally be rolled out.
The urgency of activating this programme cannot be overstated. If properly harnessed, our youth population can become a powerful demographic dividend that accelerates economic growth, innovation and industrialisation in Uganda.
If neglected, however, the consequences could include rising frustration, crime, social instability, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and increased vulnerability to exploitation.
The Graduate Employment Programme offers an opportunity to bridge the gap between education and employment. It could provide structured internships, apprenticeships, mentorship opportunities, entrepreneurship training and start-up financing for graduates.
It could also connect universities with industry and ensure that graduates acquire practical workplace experience before entering the labour market.
I respectfully propose that the programme be implemented through a partnership involving the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the private sector, local governments, universities, and agencies, such as Enterprise Uganda.
Enterprise Uganda, in particular, could be refocused and strengthened to nurture graduate entrepreneurship, business incubation and enterprise development.
The programme should be inclusive, transparent and accessible to graduates from all regions of the country regardless of political affiliation, social background or economic status. Every graduate should have a clear pathway either into employment, skills development, entrepreneurship or further professional training immediately after completing their studies.
Additionally, the Government should consider allocating dedicated funding to support graduate-led enterprises, particularly in strategic sectors identified under Uganda’s development agenda.
These sectors include commercial agriculture, agro-processing, information and communications technology, tourism, mineral value-addition, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and the digital economy. The experiences of countries, such as China, Singapore, South Korea and India, demonstrate that youthful populations become engines of prosperity when governments deliberately invest in skills development, industrialisation, innovation and job creation.
Uganda can adapt these lessons to its own circumstances while building upon existing initiatives, such as the Presidential Industrial Hubs and the National Development Plans.
Mr President, history has placed Uganda in a unique position. Few nations possess such a large reservoir of youthful energy, creativity and ambition. The question before us is whether we will transform this demographic advantage into national prosperity or allow it to become a source of frustration and lost opportunity. The ticking clock of demography waits for no nation.
The window of opportunity is open today, but it will not remain open forever. Uganda’s youth are not a burden. They are our greatest national asset. With your visionary leadership and deliberate action, they can become the driving force behind Uganda’s transformation into a more prosperous, industrialised and middle-income nation.
The writer is a woman empowerment advocate and member of the board of the Presidential CEO Forum