Makerere University has kicked off the three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The first day of the expo, held under the theme “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), explored the impact of AI on industries and careers.

The annual expo offers career guidance, job opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and networking platforms for students. It builds on previous themes focused on employability, innovation, and adapting to rapidly changing work environments.

In her keynote address, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, stressed the need for Uganda to strategically position itself in the digital economy.

She noted that Africa missed the first and second industrial revolutions and warned that the current digital revolution could also bypass the continent if deliberate efforts are not made to participate in it.

“Africa was just here, minding her own business, hunting her animals, resting. A distant industrial revolution impacted us very negatively,” she said, referencing the slave trade and colonization that followed the first industrial revolution.

The minister emphasized that Uganda must focus on producing digital goods and services rather than merely consuming them.

“We are still down there, but we are facing up. We must give Uganda a clear chance at sustainable and progressive transformation,” she said.

She observed that Uganda’s digital economy is currently skewed toward consumption, resulting in significant financial outflows.

“Our net flow in this digital economy, including AI, is negative. We are losing money, jobs, and opportunities,” she added.

Musenero urged young people to move beyond simply using digital tools and instead focus on creating value.

“Mind or machine, it must give us a positive economic voice. Whichever one gives us that, we should go for it,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Moses Musinguzi, the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology acknowledged the inevitability of Artificial Intelligence in modern society and urged stakeholders to focus on harnessing its potential.

“The general consensus worldwide is that we cannot condemn AI. Instead, we should see how we can make better and more productive use of it,” he said.

Musinguzi highlighted some of the challenges posed by AI in academia, noting that students can easily generate answers within minutes, potentially undermining the learning process.

“A student using AI can generate your answer in less than a minute. And that’s not what we want. We want to impart knowledge and skills to students,” he stressed.

He encouraged institutions to adopt AI responsibly while maintaining the core objective of producing skilled graduates.

“We are now trying to see better methods of using AI while still maintaining the objective of producing students who have the skills and knowledge to advance the world,” Musinguzi said.

He further noted that AI will inevitably affect traditional careers, making adaptation essential.

“If we don’t innovate, there is a threat that we shall be exterminated,” he warned, urging students to embrace innovation and contribute to Africa’s development.

Earlier, Lameck Kavuma from AI Studio Uganda explained the fundamentals of AI, describing it as a system built on pattern recognition and mathematical models that predict the next word or action.

“AI is all about pattern recognition,” he said, noting that the technology still has limitations, particularly when dealing with noise or changes in context.

Kavuma observed that AI has existed since the 1990s in forms such as spam filters and recommender systems. However, recent advances in generative AI now allow machines to process long texts and hold conversations, making it appear as though AI is crossing into traditionally human roles.

He emphasized that AI could level the playing field by increasing productivity and removing traditional barriers to access.

“AI is a leveler. It removes gatekeepers,” Kavuma said.

On his part, Gerald Paul Kasato, Deputy Managing Director of NSSF, stressed the importance of collaboration between humans and machines.

“The future is not about humans competing with machines. It is about humans learning how to work with machines,” he said.

Kasato noted that AI, automation, and digital technologies are rapidly reshaping the workplace and creating new opportunities.

“AI, automation, and digital technologies will transform industries, but they will also create new careers, new businesses, and new opportunities,” he said.

He urged students to equip themselves with the right skills, mindset, and adaptability to thrive in the evolving job market.

“The real challenge is ensuring that young people are equipped with the right skills, mindset, and adaptability to thrive in this new world,” Kasato emphasized.

Kasato revealed that NSSF continues to promote financial literacy among young people, with more than 130,000 students registered and over UGX 235 billion saved.

“The future belongs to those who are curious, adaptable, innovative, and willing to continuously learn,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Michael Ssegwaya, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at ABSA Bank, emphasized the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world driven by AI.

“The world is changing, and the banking sector is also changing. We handle millions of transactions, many of which are processed through AI systems,” he said.

Ssegwaya encouraged students to use AI tools to enhance productivity while maintaining independent thinking.

“I told my daughter, you can use AI, but your answers should not look like they came directly from AI. I need you to think and think differently,” he said.

He also highlighted ABSA’s “Ready to Work” program, which aims to prepare students for the evolving job market.

Ssegwaya urged students to develop skills such as creativity, communication, and empathy, which are less likely to be replaced by machines.

“Critical thinking is going to be important. Creativity may not necessarily be replaced,” he said.

He challenged students to become job creators rather than job seekers.

“I hope you are going to the university to become a job creator and not just a job seeker,” he added.

Similarly, Charlotte Kukunda from ACCA highlighted the need for professionals to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

“The pace of change in AI is phenomenal, and it is also scary,” she said.

Kukunda revealed that ACCA is reimagining its qualification structure to include employability modules such as entrepreneurship, digital technology, and innovation.

“We have included optional employability modules so that students can choose what makes sense for their career paths,” she explained.

ACCA’s revised qualification, set to launch in June and September 2027, will emphasize skills such as data analysis, financial investment, and sustainability reporting.

She encouraged students to embrace AI while strengthening human intelligence.

“Accountants are embracing artificial intelligence and exploring its potential while paying attention to the risks,” she said.

Meanwhile, Douglas Opio, Executive Director of the Federation of Uganda Employers, challenged students to consider becoming employers.

“We have an acute shortage of employers,” he said.

Opio emphasized the importance of strong theoretical foundations, describing theory as the basis for practical innovation.

“Theory is like the operating system of practice,” he noted.

He urged students to view skills as a renewable resource that can drive growth and innovation.

“AI must be part of the skill set that you actively look for,” he added.

The NSSF Career Expo, launched in 2010, aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping students and graduates with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to thrive in the modern workforce.

The event promotes a culture of saving, innovation, and entrepreneurship while bringing job opportunities closer to students.

Key features of the expo include career guidance and counseling, job opportunities, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and networking platforms. This year’s expo is being held in 15 universities across Uganda, including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi.