Finance minister Kasaija tips on employment
Nov 22, 2016
"Unemployment is an overwhelming challenge that government is still struggling with. I advise you to employ yourselves, in case you can.
The minister of finance, Hon. Matia Kasaija has advised university graduates in Uganda to take advantage of the various economic empowerment programmes that the government has put in place, to start up income generating projects.
He argued that the various tertiary institutions in the country were passing out more professionals than the job-market can absorb, which was why it was necessary for the graduates to look in the direction of self-employment.
"Unemployment is an overwhelming challenge that government is still struggling with. I advise you to employ yourselves, in case you can. Take advantage of programmes like the women's fund, Bonnabagaggawale and the youth fund to create jobs for yourselves," Kasaija said.
He was presiding over the 22nd graduation ceremony of Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi at the university's main campus in Mpigi district, on Thursday.
Kasaija later asked the graduates to exercise high standards of morality and frugality in the field of work. He also asked them to strive for greater academic achievements, arguing that learning has no limits.
"Learning is a continuous process. The world is also changing rapidly. What was relevant 10 years is irrelevant today. Therefore, you must upgrade to remain relevant," Kasaija said.
During the function, a total of 1059 students were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates in academic disciplines like Development Studies, Business Economics, Agriculture, Education, Information Technology and the Built Environment, to name a few.
The chancellor of the university, Archbishop John Baptist Odama requested government to support the infrastructure development programmes that the university had put in place, in preparation for its silver jubilee.
The vice-chancellor, Fr. Prof. John Chrysostom Maviiri asked the government to prioritise education as a strategy for achieving Vision 2040, which aims at transforming the country into a middle-class society.
The function started with a thanksgiving mass, which was presided over by Archbishop Odama and co-celebrated by Emmanuel Cardinal Dr. Wamala and Bishop Sanctus Linus Wanok of Nebbi diocese.