national 12 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ugandan Youth Urged to Forge Own Paths Amidst High Joblessness
Ugandan youth are being encouraged to shift from seeking formal employment to creating their own opportunities through innovation and entrepreneurship, as joblessness figures remain high. Officials highlighted the potential of practical skills and creative industries to drive economic growth. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/youth-urged-to-embrace-innovation-entrepreneurship-amid-rising-joblessness-5556034
Ugandan youth are facing a challenging job market, prompting calls from government officials and private sector leaders to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship. Speaking during the commemoration of International Youth Day, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, Ms. Diana Mutasingwa Kagyenyi, urged young people to leverage their practical skills to create employment rather than solely seeking formal jobs.
“We do not want youth to finish school and sit idle simply because formal jobs are unavailable,” Ms. Mutasingwa stated during a visit to a local creative hub. She emphasized that utilizing skills in areas like tailoring and other vocational trades can lead to sustainable livelihoods and community development. Government programs and incubation platforms are available to support these entrepreneurial endeavors.
These exhortations come as stark labor statistics reveal the scale of the challenge. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), youth unemployment (ages 15-24) stands at 17.9 percent, with young women and urban youth being disproportionately affected. More concerning is the figure of approximately 4 million young Ugandans (42.6% of the 15-24 age bracket) being Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). This number rises to over 5 million for the 18-30 demographic.
Ms. Mutasingwa stressed the need for a mindset shift, encouraging young people to identify community problems and develop commercial solutions. Rita Ngenzi, Executive Director of the Innovation Village, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the economic potential within Uganda’s youth demographic and the support provided by hubs for scaling businesses and accessing markets.
However, concerns were raised by grassroots entrepreneurs regarding the actual impact and awareness of national events like International Youth Day. “I feel like most youth don’t even know that today is International Youth Day,” remarked young creative entrepreneur Joan Bellmer Bugonzi, calling for more consistent engagement beyond annual observances.
Source: Daily Monitor