Graduates Told to Cultivate Right Attitude for Job Success

Uganda’s fiercely competitive job market requires more than just a university degree for success. Human resource professionals and academic leaders, speaking at the 2026 Job Connect Festival hosted by Isbat University, advised final-year students that a positive attitude, strong character, and the ability to adapt culturally are crucial for securing and retaining employment.

Milton Steven Owor, Head of Human Resource and People and Culture at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), highlighted that while a degree opens doors, it’s these personal attributes that ensure longevity in a role. He stressed the importance of demonstrating problem-solving skills and articulating one’s value to potential employers.

“Your attitude tells the potential employer the kind of person you are,” Owor stated, explaining that employers actively seek individuals who can create solutions and add new value to organizations.

Miriam Icheru, Head of People and Culture at Pride Bank, cautioned graduates against bringing university mindsets into the professional world. She advised them to research and align with the core values of prospective employers, noting integrity as a non-negotiable trait. “Merging the culture of where you’re coming from and where the organization is, is a gap that needs to be bridged,” she added.

Isbat University Vice Chancellor Mathew Kattamplackal, who hosted the event, noted that the modern workplace demands soft skills not typically taught in academic settings. Qualities such as punctuality, honesty, and hard work are essential for success, he explained.

With an estimated 700,000 students graduating annually and fewer than 90,000 securing formal employment, experts at the festival agreed that soft skills, professionalism, and a proactive mindset are now the most significant factors distinguishing successful candidates in Uganda’s job market.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)