Over 600 youth engage in dialogue on work, dignity, and Inclusion

In a significant move aimed at connecting displaced and host community youth with work opportunities, BrighterMonday Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has held a successful orientation session.

The event held on Tuesday at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement convened a diverse assembly of experts and industry leaders who shared actionable insights and practical strategies to tackle youth unemployment.

The event, held under the theme "Bridging Opportunity Gaps: Displacement, Dignity, and Work in Uganda," is a new milestone in a series of initiatives aimed at empowering young Ugandans.

It brought together almost 700 attendees, including over 570 young people from both refugee and host communities, local leaders, and key stakeholders.

The meeting comes on the heels of a recent training for over 200 youths in Mbarara City, with focus on leadership under the theme: “Women in Work,” providing a platform to address and overcome the systemic barriers hindering their professional growth.

Speaking during one of the training sessions, Pamela Kabahesi, Country Programs Lead at BrighterMonday Uganda, noted that it was paramount for BrighterMonday Uganda to identify dignified pathways for youth to thrive, including internally displaced persons.

"By working with the Mastercard Foundation, BrighterMonday Uganda is able to bring our expertise in job matching and career development directly to a community rich with potential. The stories and connections made today are just the beginning of a larger effort to dismantle the barriers these young people face."

She added that it’s imperative that the challenges affecting people are urgently handled for dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for both displaced and host community youth in Uganda.

Kabahesi also emphasised the need for a platform for dialogue with the youth to understand how to alleviate the fears limiting their ability to unlock their potential and embrace critical connections.

“Through the Young Africa Works strategy, we have demonstrated our shared commitment to empowering young people to access the skills, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive. Inclusion and job creation are the most sustainable ways to support internally displaced individuals.”

According to Aliguma Edith Adyer, Kiryandongo District Chairperson, the partnership between BrighterMonday Uganda and Mastercard Foundation is making strides in her district.

“This partnership has promoted coexistence between the internally displaced persons with the host communities in Kiryandongo. I want to encourage the government & its partners to invest in initiatives that bring peace and harmony in the communities,” Adyer explained.

Trainees’ acquired skills

The trainees acquired skills of how to be interactive and have impactful ability to learn, network, and contribute.

They were provided with hands-on access to practical skills and training resources.
Policy Dialogue engages key stakeholders in discussions to influence policy and practice.

Highlighting successful youth-led businesses and innovations.

The sessions concluded with commitments from Partners, where organizations and individuals made practical pledges to support the inclusion of displaced youth in the workforce.

The event marked a significant step in the joint efforts of BrighterMonday Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, to address youth unemployment and promote inclusive economic growth in Uganda.