Wealthy children could solve unemployment

GRADUATION       UNEMPLOYMENT

Kampala businessman Godfrey Kirumira believes that a cross-section of entrepreneurs who have immense wealth and have for a long time contributed to the country's economic growth through employing thousands of Ugandans can pass on the mantle to there children.

He said children from the wealthy business families, who he said are currently helping there parents to run there businesses should break off and create there own independent ventures through which they will create more employment opportunities for the many jobless Ugandans, especially the youth.  

Increasing unemployment, according to Kirumira, is a big thorn in the country's efforts to economic development, which he said should be tackled with the contribution of a new breed of young and educated youth from wealthy families.

Kirumira, who doubles as the chairperson of the Kwagalana Group, a loose association of Kampala's wealthy entrepreneurs said the contribution of members to the country's development cannot be overlooked, with many having ventures that provide jobs to Ugandans.

He was recently speaking at a graduation party for one of Kampala's tycoons, John Ssebalamu, the proprietor of Freedom City mall and a score of other businesses, including commercial arcades.

 
His daughter, Diana Nabukeera recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Tourism hospitality from Makerere University.

"We don't expect children from such wealthy families to joint others in searching for jobs. Use your parents' advantage of successful business and create ventures that can employ your fellow youth," he said while speaking to guests who included mainly Kampala's downtown business class, including there families at Freedom City Mall along Entebbe road.

He added: "Most of your parents did not acquire the education you have obtained but they toiled and managed to create wealth and sustain a huge number of workers, but since you have attended good schools and attained good education, you ought to use the added advantage to multiply their wealth through putting up other successful businesses," he said.

He cited the example of Hammis Kiggundu, a close family member of the Ssebalamu, who also attended the function. He said that Kiggundu, the proprietor of Ham Enterprises has a number of businesses that employ Ugandans who he said took advantage of his father, Hajji Ssegawa's business success to create his own.    

He urged all the rich entrepreneurs to invest in educating there children to disprove critics who, he said, believe that children from wealthy families do not value education.

The function was attended by several members of the Kwagalana and Tussakimu, another group of younger entrepreneurs.

Kiggundu, too, speaking at the same function argued the young generation of the business class not to be carried away by there parents' fortunes but instead, use the available establishments to create more wealth.

He said learning the business skills of there parents was key to there future success, which he said would provide a good foundation for there future success.

Nabukeera pledged that she would use her knowledge in tourism to turn Freedom City into an internationally recognized tourist spot.

Hip-hop artists who performed at the function excited the youth. They included MUN*G, Kent and Flosso of the Voltage Music and Swangz Avenues female dance hall artist, Vinka.