Foreign-trained Ugandan graduates urged to turn skills into homegrown enterprises
“You must turn your knowledge into solutions,” Natukundah said.
Scholars in a photo group with benefactors from different Ministries during the Scholarship Beneficiaries Symposium at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala. (Photos by Bridget Ahurira)
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Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) has urged newly returned foreign-trained Ugandan scholars to transform their academic achievements into innovative enterprises that can drive economic growth and job creation.
Over 100 students fresh from completing bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes in countries, including China, Algeria, Hungary, Egypt, India, Cuba, Italy, Germany and Azerbaijan, were welcomed back by the education ministry (MoES) during a homecoming symposium on December 3, 2025, at Silver Springs Hotel, Bugolobi in Kampala city.
While government officials praised the scholars’ academic excellence, PSFU used the platform to issue a strategic call: Uganda’s private sector needs their expertise, creativity and entrepreneurial energy more than ever.
PSFU director of human resources Hajjat Husnah Natukundah delivered one of the day’s most compelling sessions, urging the graduates to see themselves not just as job seekers, but as job creators ready to catalyse Uganda’s economic transformation.
“You must turn your knowledge into solutions,” Natukundah said.
“Your skills can build enterprises that create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen our country’s competitiveness.”
She reminded the scholars that many of Uganda’s most successful entrepreneurs, such as tourism mogul Amos Wekesa and the founders of the fintech startup Xente, began with modest resources and a simple idea.
“Use your contacts as your first collaborators,” she advised. “Your idea could be the next story that transforms our nation.”
The symposium featured graduates from diverse fields, including engineering, biotechnology, crop production, finance, medical studies, commerce, architecture and petroleum engineering areas, PSFU says, are critical for strengthening Uganda’s private sector and advancing the country toward a knowledge-based economy.
Former Makerere University Business School principal Prof. Waswa Balunywa echoed sentiments important to private sector competitiveness, calling for discipline, strategic planning and continuous skills development.
PSFU director of human resources Hajjat Husnah Natukundah speaking during the event.
“You must have a personal development plan to guide your growth,” he said. “In any career journey, nothing meaningful can be achieved without discipline.”
With Uganda pushing for industrialisation, digital transformation and export growth, PSFU emphasised that fresh talent, especially those exposed to global training, can play a pivotal role in bridging skills gaps, improving productivity and nurturing new sectors.
For graduates like Eng. Julian Musana (a recent graduate of electrical engineering from the University of Bejaia-Algeria, who has already secured a role at Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL), and pharmacy graduate Anthony Kabira who studied in India, who hopes to improve healthcare outcomes, PSFU believes such personal success stories must evolve into broader contributions that strengthen Uganda’s private sector ecosystem.
As the scholars start their professional journeys, PSFU’s message remains clear: Uganda’s next wave of innovation and enterprise growth rests in their hands.
The academic programmes (courses) pursued by the scholars, include PhD in crop production and horticulture, master's in science (MSc. Agricultural biotechnology, as well as a Master of Computer Science Engineering from Hungary.
The others from Algeria also completed studies in Biochemistry, pharmacology and civil engineering, MSc accounting and auditing, as well as economics, commerce and management sciences, plus mechanical engineering and architecture.
The students who spent over three years in India pursued degrees in Commerce, Finance and taxation,
China produced PhDs in finance, master's and PhDs in administrative management, while Egypt produced graduates who excelled with bachelor's in petroleum engineering, Commerce, as well as Master's of Orthopaedic Surgery.
The Cuban-based scholars returned as medical doctors after excelling in medicine.
Julian Musana, a recent graduate of electrical engineering from the University of Bejaia, Algeria and Anthony Kabira, who now has a bachelor’s in Pharmacy from Andhra University -India, were some of the scholars New Vision Online spoke to.
“I really appreciate the Ministry of Education, headed by the Minister of Education, Mrs Janet Kataha Museveni, for the scholarship opportunity that I received in 2021,” Kabira told New Vision.
Kabira who completed his Pharmacy course in 2025 after having commenced it in 2021 said: “It was really a life-changing opportunity for me because I had no option for the university but I got a big opportunity that has changed my life, changed the way I look at things and changed my way of thinking and I really look forward to creating an impact out of what I studied in India to create a really different Uganda.”
On her part, Eng. Musana, who travelled to Algeria in 2020, finished her course in 2025, expressed her gratitude to the education ministry for providing them with such life-changing opportunities.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity of pursuing my bachelor's and combined master's degree from Algeria,” she said.
She also thanked the scholarship committee for the opportunity, which has now placed her with the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL).