Ugandan Youth Advised to Pursue Entrepreneurship Amidst High Unemployment

As Uganda joins the global community in observing International Youth Day, young people are being strongly advised to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship as viable alternatives to the scarcity of formal employment. Government officials and private sector leaders are urging the nation’s youth to leverage their skills to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to economic growth.

During a visit to MoTIV, a local creative hub, the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Ms. Diana Mutasingwa Kagyenyi, emphasized the need for a proactive approach. “We do not want youth to finish school and sit idle simply because formal jobs are unavailable,” she stated. “If you have skills, use them to start something. Don’t focus solely on holding a degree or finding a formal job. You can come up as a youth and do something practical with your skills.”

These calls come at a time when unemployment figures paint a concerning picture. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), youth unemployment for the 15-24 age group stands at 17.9 percent, with young women and urban dwellers facing higher rates. More alarmingly, approximately 4 million young Ugandans aged 15 to 24 are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), representing over 40 percent of that demographic.

Ms. Mutasingwa urged young individuals to identify community problems and develop practical, commercial solutions. Rita Ngenzi, Executive Director of the Innovation Village, highlighted the potential of Uganda’s demographic dividend, particularly in the cultural and creative industries, offering support services for young entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. However, Ngenzi stressed the critical need for government partnership to amplify the impact of private sector initiatives.

Despite these encouraging messages, some grassroots creators expressed skepticism about the tangible benefits of such national events. Joan Bellmer Bugonzi, a young creative entrepreneur, questioned the awareness and real significance of International Youth Day among ordinary peers, suggesting a need for more consistent engagement beyond annual ceremonies.