education 9 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Makerere University Launches Social Enterprise Hub to Combat Graduate Unemployment
Makerere University, in partnership with the Federation of Uganda Social Enterprises (FUSE), has launched a new Social Enterprise Campus Hub (Mak-SEH) aimed at converting academic knowledge into viable business solutions and employment opportunities for graduates. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/makerere-eyes-social-enterprise-to-solve-uganda-s-graduate-unemployment-5453004
Makerere University is taking a proactive step to address Uganda’s significant graduate unemployment crisis with the inauguration of the Makerere University Social Enterprise Campus Hub (Mak-SEH). This initiative, the first of its kind in Uganda, is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application, transforming students’ knowledge into innovative ventures.
An estimated 700,000 individuals enter Uganda’s job market annually, facing competition for fewer than 90,000 available positions. Makerere alone recently saw over 9,000 graduates enter this challenging landscape.
Timothy Mugerwa, CEO of FUSE, emphasized the hub’s mission: “We no longer want to see university students on the streets looking for jobs, yet they can turn their knowledge into innovations.” This launch follows recent discussions about the relevance of certain university courses, highlighting the need for practical, problem-solving skills.
The hub aims to foster sustainable practices and encourage formalization among social enterprises. Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC), shared insights on the challenges of registration and the importance of thoroughly understanding community needs before launching solutions.
Dr. Eric Awich Ochen, Deputy Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, added that successful social enterprises must be both impactful and profitable, driven by creativity and responsiveness to societal needs.
The Mak-SEH initiative has received an initial USD 10,000 from FUSE to support emerging startups within the hub. Plans are already in motion to establish two more hubs by the end of the year, with further expansion anticipated.
Selected members will also receive complimentary tickets to Uganda’s first Pan-African Social Enterprise Summit. Dr. Mbidde encouraged students to leverage the university’s innovation resources, advising them to “start now, build now, and create your own path” rather than waiting until after graduation.
This article is based on information from the Daily Monitor.