General
Mak-students’ career day: finalists tipped on the employment trends in Uganda
On 13th March 2018, the Mastercard Scholars Program at Makerere University together with Counselling and Guidance Centre organised a Career day to guide students in their final year of study on how they can effectively prepare themselves for the competitive job market in the world. Officially opened by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the well-attended event aimed at ushering finalist into the world of work as well as providing a platform for students to understand the employment trends in Uganda under a theme: “understanding the employment environment in Uganda.”
In a speech ready by the Dean of Students Mr.Cyriaco Kabagambe, the Vice Chancellor thanked the Mastercard Scholars Program at Makerere University and Counselling and Guidance Centre for their commitment to prepare students as they transit from an academic to an employment world.
“Makerere University is interested in preparing its students for the world as change agents, good workers, great entrepreneurs and great leaders. As the University we want to enhance our partnership with the private sector so that we learn from each other and make the world and Uganda a better place,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor mentioned that for years, the world has produced more young people who are eagerly looking for employment opportunities. He also noted that many young people get anxious when they think of work after university. The anxiety is understandable but can be avoided when students are prepared to face the world of work.
“Makerere University is proud when its alumni are successful. Opportunities like these where you receive employers to speak to you are very important and should be cherished. Take time to listen to these speakers, interact with them, ask questions and follow them up after today. All these speakers were once like you. They want you to be like them and even do better than them,” he stated.
“The truth is, there are few jobs and many job seekers but there are also few people who do well at work. The world needs excellent entrepreneurs and there are thousands of opportunities which you need to harness. I can guarantee you that if you are found to be a good worker, employers will be looking for you, if you have the needed skills, you will enrol in the job industry much easily,” he added.
Dr. Fred Muhumuza, a Lecturer at the School of Statistics and Planning; Makerere University advised scholars to always be open to job opportunities with regardless of their academic specialisation. In a presentation on the employment trends in Uganda, Muhumuza said that the employment trends in Uganda have been totally changed by the highly evolving technological trends, high migration rates, increasing population and increasing rates of the educated people. He therefore, encouraged students to utilize each and every opportunity and equip themselves with skills that will attract the employers’ attention to add them to their employment lists.
“The employment environment has been narrowed down due to the growing technologic evolution, unemployment is a problem to the youth but also a problem to the old. Human labour has been replaced by machines, Apps among others. We therefore need to revise means on how we can stay relevant on the job market. Be multitasking, multilingualistic and have unique skills,” he emphasised.
Taking students through the different employability skills, Mr. Joachim Masagazi, the Organisational Development Manager at MTN Uganda, encouraged students to always find a niche in the competitive market. He urged students to acquire skills that would go beyond their experience and academic qualification. “Attain skills that will support your getting and keeping the job. Skills that will build your personal brands in the employment environment. You must have your own brand, if you don’t, it will be very difficult to be employed. Have skills that support you to create your own opportunities,” he said.
Mr. Masagazi also advised students to always be knowledgeable and have the capacity to articulate issues that develop the sector. He encouraged them to make strong and relevant decisions that will map their career. He called upon all students to be innovative, proactive, creative and critical thinkers.
“Always have unique new ideas, be original, think out of your boxes, and aim at solving problems. Stay focused and carry a sense of credibility, integrity, reality, honesty.Accept your status and do not be greedy. We must have a positive attitude if we are to be employable. Avoid complaining and gripping at almost everything,” he said.
Dr. Eunice Naigaga Adubango, a successful entrepreneur and an expert in engineering, said that students need to be competent and informative. Through her personal experiences in academia and business, Dr.Adubango who owns a Food Company and an Engineering Firm said that students need to understand the company or business to which they are applying.
“When you are applying for a place, give yourself some time to find out about your potential employer. Read up about them online: check out their website and find out what reputable news sources have to say about them. Who are their customers and who are their competitors? There are places where your competence will speak so loudly that blood will not speak against it. You should be observant and use your eyes and ears to help you open opportunities,” she said.
According to the Coordinator of MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, students should acquire requisite knowledge and skills and have a positive attitude towards work if they are to have a competitive edge in the world of work. She thanked the facilitators for the informative sessions and equally thanked the organisers for the successful event.
The Manager-Counselling and Guidance Centre, Makerere University, Mr. Henry Nsubuga encouraged students to stay healthy and free from problems that will deter them from achieving their goals and objectives. He encouraged them to utilize the counselling and guidance service to build a healthy and wealthy mind.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office.
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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