Ugandan youth to receive career-focused mentoring

Local youth-led business ventures in Kampala and the neighbouring areas of Wakiso and Mukono are set to benefit from a one-year free training and mentoring programme by a Dutch firm.

The program is aimed at accelerating the growth and sustainability of local youth enterprises.

World Bank data shows that youth unemployment in Kampala alone is 32.2% and unemployment among university graduates in Kampala is at 36%.

The World Bank defines youth unemployment as individuals aged 15  to 24 who are without work, but are currently available for work and have sought it in the recent past.

The Youth Enterprise programme championed by Junior Achievement Uganda and Red Road Foundation is aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial skills for the youth driven companies.

Geofrey Wakhakunyu, CEO Junior Achievement Uganda noted that Uganda's high entrepreneurial start up and failure rate is a major motivation behind the training program. He pointed out that the program, if successful, will increase the number of jobs for the youth.

According to Keren Okuvuru, the Youth Enterprise Project Lead, the training will focus on businesses run by young entrepreneurs from 18 years to 35 years, with high growth potential in agri-business, services, or manufacturing sectors and have been in business for a minimum two years.

"Our aim is to accelerate local youth led businesses by training and mentoring through value addition and job creation. We shall offer training and mentoring skills in financial management, informed decision making, record keeping and entrepreneurship skills," Okuvuru said.

Lars Deneer, the programme director of the Dutch based Red Road Foundation said the program will utilise contacts from different corporate institutions including banks to actively coach and support the youth entrepreneurs and to finance their growth investments.

"When and if needed, Red Road Foundation will support in finding investors for soft loans or equity," he said. Deneer noted that youth have until 29th September to apply for the training at youth-enterprise.com.