BUIKWE UGANDA: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged a major overhaul in career guidance and course selection in Uganda’s education system, saying it is a key driver of unemployment among graduates.

Speaking during this year’s International Labour Day celebrations held on Friday at Matale in Buikwe District, under the theme “Safeguarding Uganda’s Progress: Empowering the Workforce and Promoting Decent Work for Competitive Enterprises,” the President said many young people remain unemployed because they pursue courses that are not aligned with market demand.

Museveni directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to strengthen career guidance in schools and ensure learners are guided towards marketable and competitive courses that match available job opportunities.

He also advised unemployed graduates to consider retooling in alternative skills areas that are more relevant to the current labour market.

The President noted that he has repeatedly interacted with university graduates from courses such as Social Work, Social Administration, and Psychology, many of whom struggle to secure employment.

He said the challenge is not necessarily lack of jobs, but a mismatch between training and labour market needs.

“The missing link is proper career guidance that helps learners choose competitive skills,” Museveni said, adding that education institutions must take a more active role in guiding students.

He instructed the Ministry to develop a structured national career guidance framework that supports both learners in schools and unemployed graduates seeking to reorient their skills.

Museveni also proposed human capital and economic transformation strategies, emphasizing that Uganda’s vast arable land remains underutilized.

He argued that commercial agriculture has the potential to create millions of jobs if properly harnessed, citing examples of successful farmers such as Richard Nyakana of Fort Portal and Johnson Basangwa of Kamuli District.

The President said that if Ugandans fully utilize just 7 million acres out of the country’s 40 million acres of arable land, the agricultural sector alone could generate up to 105 million jobs.

He urged citizens to shift focus towards productive land use and commercial farming as a reliable source of employment and wealth creation.

The President encouraged Ugandans to take advantage of government-backed financial programmes, including low-interest loans from the Uganda Development Bank and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He confirmed that annual PDM funding will increase from UGX 100 million to UGX 200 million in the next financial year, aimed at expanding support for household income-generating activities.

Museveni said these interventions are intended to support job creation at the community level while encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship.

President Museveni also directed reforms in the management of industrial parks to address accommodation challenges faced by factory workers.

His remarks followed a request by the Chairperson of the National Organisation of Trade Unions, Musa Okello, who highlighted the burden of workers travelling long distances due to lack of housing near workplaces.

The President approved reforms that will allow investors or the National Housing Company to develop low-cost housing for workers within or near industrial parks.

Museveni further called on Members of Parliament to support government development priorities during budgeting and legislation processes.

He highlighted key sectors including peace and security, electricity generation, road infrastructure, railway transport, industrialisation, and oil and gas development.

He also confirmed ongoing regional infrastructure projects such as oil pipeline and water transport systems involving Uganda and neighbouring countries, including Kenya.

The President reaffirmed that the Parish Development Model will play a major role in reducing household poverty and urged MPs to fully support its implementation.

He also announced plans for a nationwide fish farming campaign next year aimed at reviving the fisheries sector. He cautioned against overfishing and illegal fishing practices, warning that they threaten fish stocks in Uganda’s water bodies.

Museveni further encouraged commercial fish farming around wetlands, while stressing the importance of protecting wetlands for agriculture and irrigation. He cited the Limoto Presidential Fish Farm in Pallisa District as a successful model.

The President advised the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to explore more profitable investment options, including infrastructure projects such as toll roads, to improve returns for savers.

He also directed the Ministry of Education to rehabilitate Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School in Matale, Buikwe District, which is facing infrastructural challenges.

Vice President Jessica Alupo highlighted improvements in Uganda’s employment sector driven by industrialisation, peace, and government policy direction.

Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Betty Amongi emphasized government interventions in industrialisation, vocational training, capital support schemes, and social protection programmes. She also commended the President for assenting to the Employment (Amendment) Act 2025, which strengthens labour standards in Uganda.