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.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.
Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.
He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.
Political and Public Service Career
Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.
He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Internal Affairs
- Minister of Health
- Minister without Portfolio
- Minister of Defence
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.
From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.
Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.
Significance for Makerere
As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.
His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.
Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.
Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
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