Business & Management
Economists Offer Policy Recommendations to Curb Youth Unemployment in Uganda
Economists from the Makerere University’s School Economics have provided policy options to help mitigate youth unemployment in Uganda.
A team of researchers led by Prof. Edward Bbaale as Principal Investigator assisted by Dr. Susan Kavuma, Peter Babyenda, Brenda Kiconco, Anitah Kyamugaba , Hennery Sebukeera and Nakigudde Claire under took a research project titled, ‘ “Empirical Review of Youth Employment Policies in Uganda”with technical and financial support from partnership for economic policy Nairobi Kenya funded by Mastercard Foundation.
The study looked at insights from different people on how youth unemployment and under employment can be solved. The research project intended to review the youth employment policies, legislations, interventions and programs with the aim of identifying the best practices for promoting youth employability, productivity, and opportunities among the youth.
The researchers worked closely with the different Institutional framework concerned with youth affairs including in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Education and Sports, National Planning Authority, Federation of Uganda Employers, National Organization of Trade Unions and parliament among others
The study findings were presented during the dissemination workshop held on 9th November 2022 at Protea Hotel in Kampala to members of the academia, representatives from government ministries, departments and agencies, the Private sector, civil society organizations, representatives of the youth from different divisions of Kampala and other districts and key collaborators.
The dissemination workshop was intended to validate the findings of the study through contributions, corrections,and an evaluation of the opportunities, challenges, chances, the gaps, costs of and thorough practical policy options with the aim of enriching the report and the policy recommendations in particular to government.
Representing the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences, the Dean School of Economics and also PI Prof. Edward Bbaale noted that youth unemployment and under employment is one of the policy issues that warrant due attention.
He observed that Uganda is one of the youngest and fastest growing populations in the world with 54% of the population below 18 years of age and yet the population is growing very fast at 3.4 %.
Bbaale added that Uganda is also faced with a serious problem of high school dropout rate. Data from the Ministry of Education indicates that on average one million pupils that enroll in primary one, only 600 thousand sit the primary leaving examination and this number reduces to 300 thousand at the Uganda Certificate of education and reduces further to 100 thousand to those that go for the advanced certificate.
“The question is where these young men do and women go and who is the messiah. Is TVET, the different skilling programmes the messiah for Uganda? and more broadly even those that graduate at higher level, the question is that whether the problem is at the demand level to the extent that the economy is so much contracted and that there is no space for people to come and take employment meaning that the economy is growing without creating jobs”. Bbaale questioned.
Aware that the services sector is driving growth in Uganda and the agricultural sector is well behind services and industry as far as GDP is concerned, Bbaale noted that this means that there has been sectorial shift in GDP composition- at one time it was agriculture ahead of industry and services but now we have services ahead of the two.
“Whereas we have had the sectorial shifts in the GDP composition, there are no sectoral shifts in employment and majority of our people still depend on agriculture and there is a smaller cake despite its holding 60% of our people coming with questions of low productivity and poverty.
And so given that, if majority of Ugandans are not employed in the services sector which is leading the GDP composition, can we say our economy is having a jobless profile? We are growing without jobs and then on the other hand, can we say it is the supply side and skills mismatch? Do those people that graduate every year in universities and other institutions match the available opportunities?.Prof. Bbaale questioned.
Prof. Bbaale also stressed that the issue of youth unemployment and under employment is topical and has gone on for sometime but not leading the same in finding a lasting solutions for the youth unemployment problem.
He congratulated the research team for successfully implementing the study and partners – the Mastercard Foundation through the partnership for economic policy in Nairobi for sponsoring the different activities of the project as well as the stakeholders from MDAs, Private sector, CSOs and development partners for contributing wonderful ideas.
Unemployment associated with Labor market information system, curriculum design and population growth
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Youth Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Kyateka Mondo thanked the PI and team for putting the research together saying, they are looking forward to receiving what the university thinks is the solution to unemployment question in Uganda.
In addition to addressing the issue of labour market information system, the commissioner observed that it is prudent for training institutions to interface with employers while designing the curriculum but also address the issue of population growth.
“The problem in Africa is that we train today what was needed for yesterday. Are the training institutions in touch with the people who employ? Do you have a time where we interface with the Mukwanos and UMAs of this world and all the people who need the work force?
Second,… we are likely not to break even until we address the issue of population growth. As long as we are producing as if there is no tomorrow. As long as we believe in Genesis that go out there and multiply and fill the world.How are you going to prepare and skill them to get quality education. And the man who tells you to go and fill the world produced only one son –Jesus Christ.”, Mondo stated adding that:
“.. until the population question is addressed and until the training institutions sit together with who is going to employ their products, , there will be nothing new that we are going to hear. The skills given at training institutions do not match the labour markets. So until we move away from the book of lamentations to the book of acts and we act.
Fix the issue of so many children, fix the issue of poverty among our people, fix the issue of a functional and prudent labour market information system. We need action today to bring hope to so many young people in this country but we also have to do mindset deconstruction”. Mondo asserted.
Mondo further observed that over 45 universities are churning out young people every year, operating under a jobless economic growth in that, the economy is not producing the jobs that are badly needed. He added that if unemployment question is fixed, many other problems like poverty, drug abuse early pregnancies, theft, suicide would have been fixed.
Formal employment and trends in youth unemployment in Uganda
Presenting the study findings Peter Babyenda noted that formal employment share of government jobs declined from 6.8% in 2012/13 to 6.5% in 2016/17 while total formal private employment declined from 200,000 jobs in 2012/13 to 141,000 in 2016/17. In 2016/17, only 13,000 (9%) youth had a formal private job.
On trends in youth employment, Babyenda reported a fluctuating Labour Force Participation Rate – 57% (2016/17), 66% (2017/18), 62% (2018/19), and an increasing youth unemployment rate – 13% (2016/17), 18% (2017/18), 17% (2018/19)
Babyenda presented worrying statistics on Youth neither in Employment nor in Education or Training (NEETs) estimated at 39%. This is worrying – where are they? He said there are twice young ladies in NEET as men largely found in in Greater Kampala, Northern Uganda and Western region which is a big threat to Uganda’s social cohesion and political stability.
NEETS according to Babyenda are largely attributed to low educational attainment (including among their parents), living in deprived neighborhoods, low socio-economic status and other barriers to participation like pregnancy or disability.
“The 2018/19 Annual Labour Force Survey report reveals that almost half of the youths (46%) are not qualified for the existing jobs because they do not have required skills.Low wages for youth as the median wage of public sector employees is estimated at UGX 510,000 ($134), while in Private Sector it is estimated at UGX150,000 ($39).
Existing employment policies seem universal and do not segregate persons in formal and informal sectors in their coverage. More so, there is limited evidence to show the expansion of social protection coverage in the informal sector as required by the National Social Protection Policies. It also remain unclear whether the existing youth employment programs are achieving their targets” Mr. Babyenda reported.
Key findings from the evaluation of the different Youth Empowerment Programs (YEP)
The study indicated that although access to youth employment funds had a positive effect on youth business expansion, there was no significant evidence of the fund’s effect on job creation.
Major stakeholders in YEP were not fully fulfilling their mandates; while on the policy front, the findings show that the youth funds have a long-term impact on its intended goals.
Promoting youth entrepreneurship according to this study should be approached holistically (not just through credit) and should target productive sectors with high employment creation potential.
The need for a strong institutional framework including M&E and accountability frameworks and the removal of barriers to youth self-employment were also proposed.
The study disclosed a number of challenges faced by the youth involved in Youth Employment programmes and they included ; Misuse of YEP funds, limited follow-ups of beneficiaries due to inadequate monitoring and supervisory capacity, Political Interference, High default rates (failure repay loans/resolving funds) and Poor group formation dynamics
Beneficiaries according to this research, reported delayed release of funds to youth groups or beneficiaries by the ministry of finance and implementing agencies – MoGLSD, local governments, Corruption, Inadequate information on existence of youth, Education miss-match affecting youth employability AND Limited preparation of beneficiaries
The study notes that common youth challenges in Uganda include: Unemployment, underemployment and undignified work.
The study further notes that Uganda has initiated a number of Youth Employment programs over time such as the youth livelihood fund, presidential youth initiatives, youth skilling programs and free vocational education among others.
Many Youth (39%) still either not in School or employment and more among females (50.5%) and the need for specific Policy change to ensure that the youth obtain right skills for existing employment opportunities in the country.
Policy recommendations
The study recommends that government prioritise policies that create jobs and address youth unemployment/under-employment and strengthen the YEP’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) system.
The study proposes the development of a clear resource mobilization strategy during the YEP design phase and expansion of YEPs into new locations with updated priority areas.
The policy initiatives should be SMART and should reinforce labour market participation, especially regarding discouraged workers and women.
Other policy recommendations include benchmarking with other countries that have succeeded; Reduce of political interferences in the bureaucratic process of the YEP implementation; Increase budget allocation to YEP and also improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the technical support unit of these programs.
In addition, the study advocates for holistic youth employment policy initiatives as opposed to piecemeal, ad-hoc, under-funded and poorly implemented programs. The programs should be rooted within a wider framework that places structural transformation of the country such as NDP III, Vision 2040, among others.
Business & Management
Makerere University Signs MoU with World Association of Noonomy: Sets pace for the African Centre of Excellence
By Ritah Namisango and Monica Meeme
Makerere University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Association of Noonomy, setting the pace for academic collaboration, research and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy in Africa.
On behalf of Makerere University, the MoU was signed by Professor Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), during the World Congress on Noonomy held in Rome, Italy, from 16th-19th September 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated institute of Excellence for Noonomy at College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Uganda was the only African country represented at the World Congress on Noonomy, with a Makerere University delegation including Prof. Sarah Ssali-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Edward Bbaale-Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Dr Peter Babyenda-Lecturer at the School of Economics and Policy Engagement Coordinator, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and Mr. Tonny Mayambala Sebbaggala, a Ugandan Economist based in Russia.
Commenting on the development, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said, “By signing this MoU, the African Centre for Noonomy has been established at Makerere University. This adds to the growing number of African continental research centres that are coordinated by Makerere University. Makerere is clearly a leader on the Continent.”
The MoU signed on 19th September 2026 in Rome-Italy, builds on the inaugural conference on Noonomy, held in Uganda on 20th August 2026 at Makerere University under the theme, “The Theory of Noonomy and its Role in Resolving Modernity Issues: Pathways to Sustainable Social and Economic Transformation.”
At the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy, the scholars from Makerere University delivered three (3) presentations focusing on Noonomy and development challenges in East Africa, the transition from informal to formal employment, and the role of universities in advancing Noonomy.
About the Theory
The Theory of Noonomy is an emerging theoretical approach developed by Professor Sergey Bodrunov, Director of the S.Y. Witte Institute, which examines the changing relationship between knowledge, technology, production and human development. The theory places emphasis on knowledge and human potential as important drivers of development, while highlighting humanistic values and solidarity in shaping economic and social progress.
Advancing Alternative Economic Thought in Africa
Speaking at the Annual gathering in Rome, Prof. Sarah Ssali described Makerere University’s partnership as a great honour, highlighting the importance of creating space for broader theoretical perspectives on political economy and the global economy.
Reflecting on the evolution of political science and political economy studies, Prof. Ssali noted that following the era of Glasnost and Perestroika, free-market ideology and neoliberalism became increasingly dominant in global economic thinking.
“This dominance created a need for scholars to critically examine both the opportunities and limitations of market-based approaches,” she said.
She welcomed the opportunity to explore alternative ways of understanding the world, including not only the material relations of production, but also the material relations of consumption.
Prof. Ssali also acknowledged the Witte Institute for initiating the initiative and for choosing Makerere University as a key partner on the African continent.
She said Makerere University plans to establish a dedicated centre focused on the emerging area of study, with the institution aiming to launch the centre in February 2027.
“We hope the centre will become a leading African platform for research, teaching and dialogue on these issues,” she asserted.
Prof. Ssali noted that the ideas emerging from the Kampala meeting (held on 20th August 2026) are already being incorporated into Makerere University’s theoretical classes, with plans to substantially expand the initiative following the establishment of the centre of excellence.
She reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to the partnership and to expanding scholarly engagement on alternative approaches to political economy.
Call for Growth that Advances Social Welfare
Delivering the presentation titled: “The Role of Noonomy in Addressing Development Challenges in East Africa,” Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), explored the potential of Noonomy as an alternative framework for understanding and addressing persistent development challenges in East Africa.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the approach contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better connect economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region.
“The study contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better link economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region,” he said.
The paper was co-authored with Dr Peter Babyenda and formed part of the scholarly contributions presented at the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome, Italy.
Prioritizing Human-Centred Development
Dr Peter Babyenda said Makerere University’s participation in the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome marked an important step in the University’s international engagement with the Theory of Noonomy.
“The engagement paves the way for establishing a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy at the School of Economics, under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS),” he stated.
Dr Babyenda explained that the Theory of Noonomy places human welfare at the centre of development, arguing that development should be assessed not only through productivity and infrastructure, but also by how it improves people’s wellbeing.
He said consumption, knowledge transfer and solidarity are important considerations, including in the application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
Dr Babyenda revealed that Uganda has been offered an opportunity to host an upcoming World Congress on Noonomy, which he said could bring together participants from more than 55 countries and create opportunities for academic exchange, industry engagement and international visibility for Uganda.
He called upon the academia and industry to collaborate with Makerere University in advancing its engagement with the emerging field.
The Signing of the MoU at the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy marks a milestone in Makerere University’s efforts to contribute to international scholarly discussions on alternative approaches to understanding economic systems and development.
Business & Management
CoBAMS, European Partners Launch Programme to Equip Students with Polycrisis Management Skills
By Hasifa Kabejja and Ritah Namisango
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in collaboration with international partners, is implementing a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) aimed at equipping a new generation of professionals in Africa and Europe with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand and respond to complex, interconnected global crises.
Held under the PolyCIVIS network, the programme, titled Enhancing Skills in Polycrisis Management: African and European Approaches, brings together participants from Makerere University, the University of Salzburg, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
It was competitively secured under the 6th Call for CIVIS Blended Intensive Programmes by the Makerere PolyCIVIS team, comprising Prof. Edward Bbaale from the School of Economics, CoBAMS; Dr. Anthony Tibaingana from the School of Business, CoBAMS; and Dr. Kamatara Kanifa from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The European facilitators include Prof. Gudrun Zagel, Dr. Sabine Hennig, and Dr. Roman Puff, all from Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Austria.
Tackling the Growing Reality of Polycrises
Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme under the Jean Monnet Networks, the initiative responds to the growing reality of polycrises – situations in which multiple crises, including climate change, pandemics, displacement, poverty, environmental degradation and economic instability, interact and compound one another, often resulting in consequences more severe than those of individual crises.
The BIP Workshop at Makerere University
The BIP combines virtual and physical learning to give participants both theoretical grounding and hands-on experience in polycrisis management.
During the virtual component conducted in May 2026, participants including students and academics from the participating institutions worked in interdisciplinary teams to analyze real-world scenarios, including climate disasters, refugee crises, pandemics and urban waste management. The students were required to develop and present polysolutions from the perspectives of different stakeholders, including governments, civil society and academic institutions.
The physical component, taking place in Kampala from 7th-11th September 2026, brings together students from across CIVIS consortium universities to complete the remaining course content, participate in practical activities, and develop solutions to real-world polycrisis challenges. It also provides participants with an opportunity to examine real-life Ugandan cases, including the Kitezi landfill disaster and the Bulambuli landslides. Through these case studies, students will explore how crises intersect with public health, environmental protection, poverty, security, and sustainable development, while gaining practical insights into integrated approaches to crisis management.
On the first day of the training, participants undertook an excursion to the Kiteezi Landfill. During the week, they will also engage with experts from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), civil society and academia, and work in thematic groups to explore the legal, economic, sociological, historical, communication and educational dimensions of Kampala’s waste management challenges.
The teams will subsequently develop a Kampala waste policy paper and accompanying presentations, proposing integrated approaches to addressing the city’s waste crisis.
The learning approach incorporates case studies, simulations, role-play, guest lectures, peer learning, interdisciplinary teamwork, and problem-based learning. Participants are encouraged to move beyond identifying problems to developing practical and sustainable solutions.
Call for Integrated Approaches to Complex Global Challenges
Officially opening the programme, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe commended the team for securing the programme.
Addressing participants, he emphasized the need for universities to move beyond fragmented approaches to problem-solving and develop integrated responses to increasingly complex global challenges.
“Interconnected problems cannot be adequately addressed through fragmented solutions,” Prof. Nawangwe observed, stressing the importance of collaboration across disciplines, institutions, sectors and countries.
He noted that no single discipline or institution possesses all the knowledge required to address the challenges confronting societies today, calling for stronger integration of fields such as economics, public health, environmental science, engineering, governance, technology and the social sciences.
Embracing Innovative and Sustainable “Polysolutions”
Prof. Nawangwe further emphasized the importance of developing innovative and sustainable “polysolutions”- integrated responses that address multiple, interconnected crises while minimizing unintended consequences across other sectors.
He underscored the value of combining African and European perspectives, noting that while crises may manifest differently across regions because of differences in history, institutions and resources, challenges such as climate change, migration, pandemics, conflict and economic instability increasingly transcend national boundaries.
He described the partnership as an opportunity for mutual learning and co-creation of knowledge, rather than a one-way transfer of expertise.
“We must bring these experiences into conversation and determine what works, under what circumstances, and how solutions can be adapted to different social, economic and institutional contexts,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
Collaboration Beyond the Blended Intensive Programme
The Vice Chancellor expressed hope that the collaboration would extend beyond the BIP into joint research, publications, teaching, student supervision and other sustained academic initiatives.
He challenged the participants to make the most of the opportunity by learning across disciplinary boundaries, questioning established assumptions and focusing on solutions.
“The world you are preparing to lead will require people who can understand complexity, work across institutional and disciplinary boundaries, and convert knowledge into practical responses,” he said.
Ebola Outbreak Demonstrates the Interconnected Nature of Modern Crises
The Vice Chancellor further observed that the postponement of the physical component of the training following the outbreak of Ebola underscored the interconnected nature of modern crises. He noted that a health emergency can quickly disrupt education, international mobility, economic activity and institutional planning.
Appreciation by the Vice Chancellor
He commended the PolyCIVIS team and partner universities for bringing the initiative to fruition, expressing confidence that the programme would generate practical and innovative polysolutions to some of the challenges facing societies.
Strengthening international academic collaboration
In his capacity as Principal of CoBAMS, Prof. Edward Bbaale described the programme as a significant reflection of the College’s commitment to fostering an integrated approach to teaching, research, policy engagement and international collaboration.
He noted that the increasingly complex challenges facing society require institutions and professionals to transcend geographical and disciplinary boundaries and collaborate across diverse fields of expertise.
Prof. Bbaale further highlighted the value of bringing Makerere students and faculty into direct engagement with colleagues and practitioners from partner universities.
“Such engagements enrich the learning experience while creating opportunities for sustained collaboration in research, teaching and student supervision. For Makerere University, the programme represents a practical expression of its internationalization agenda, creating opportunities for students and academics from different countries to exchange knowledge, share expertise and work together to address complex societal challenges.”
Preparing future leaders for complex challenges
The programme seeks to enable learners to identify, assess and manage polycrisis situations in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while building competencies in addressing the social, environmental and economic dimensions of crises.
It also aims to develop practical skills in designing and evaluating integrated policies and polysolutions, including effective communication and public awareness strategies.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to strengthen participants’ critical thinking, digital, spatial and 21st-century skills while promoting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration.
The BIP also serves as a pilot initiative for the planned Joint Master’s Programme on Managing Polycrises under the PolyCIVIS framework.
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