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.
The Board Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF), Dr. Margaret Blick Kigozi, has urged graduands in Health and Life Sciences to uphold professional ethics and serve humanity with diligence and compassion.
Her appeal came during the passing out of graduates from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB), the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the School of Public Health (SPH) on Day Two of the 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University.
“Class of 2026, you are now part of the Makerere legacy. Wherever you go clinics, laboratories, farms, boardrooms, or classrooms, you carry this institution with you. Serve your patients with skill and compassion. Care for animals and communities responsibly. Question boldly and keep learning,” Dr Kigozi, said.
Delivering the commencement address, Dr. Kigozi lauded the graduates for their dedication to careers that directly impact lives and communities. She encouraged them to use their knowledge generously and exercise their power gently.
“Your education has trained you to ask better questions. Your humanity must guide the answers. Never forget that behind every chart, every case, every animal, every experiment, there is life. And life deserves care, patience, and dignity. Give every person you come in contact with care, patience and dignity,” Dr Kigozi, noted.
As the graduates embark on their professional journeys, Dr. Kigozi emphasized the importance of cultivating basic business acumen and financial literacy to ensure sustainability in their work.
“You do not need to become accountants but you must be able to read the essentials: understand simple financial statements, budgets and key metrics so you can judge whether a clinic, lab, or program is sustainable. You are encouraged to start your business. There are numerous investment opportunities in your areas of training. You can provide services to our people and create jobs,” Dr Kigozi, said.
She shared candidly how, when she first stepped into leadership, she realised she did not understand balance sheets or budgets well enough. So, she returned to Makerere for short courses to strengthen herself.
“A well-run Hospital, clinic or lab delivers better outcomes, attracts staff, and secures funding. Business savvy is not only about profit, it’s about sustainability and the freedom to serve ethically and effectively. Carry clinical skill with business sense so your work endures and grows,” Dr. Kigozi, noted.
Quoting renowned writer and producer Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, who once reflected that succeeding in one area of life can sometimes mean falling short in another, Dr. Kigozi encouraged women graduates to intentionally balance professional ambition with family responsibilities.
“When one area thrives, another is often under strain. When Navio was graduating from school I had to manage the Presidential Investor Round Table on the same day as Executive Director Uganda Investment Authority. I chose my job and delegated his siblings to attend Navios graduation. I learnt from this. I choose family always after that thing you achieve once and keep forever,” Dr Kigozi, said.
In his speech, the Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor, informed the congregation that Makerere’s ranking on all university ranking platforms has remained stable, placing Makerere among the top 10 African universities and within the top 4.5% globally.
“In the Times Higher Education global ranking, Makerere University made a formidable jump from the 1200-1500 bracket to the 800-1000 bracket. This was no mean achievement and I congratulate all members of the Makerere Community on this stellar performance,” Prof Nawangwe, said.
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