Natasha Ahereza Urges Ugandan Youth to Embrace Entrepreneurship and Practical Skills

Young Ugandans have been challenged to shift their focus from seeking traditional formal employment and instead embrace entrepreneurship, practical skills development, and wealth creation. Natasha Ahereza, the National General Secretary of the Youth, delivered the message during a recent panel discussion focused on expanding economic opportunities and youth employment.

Ahereza emphasized that academic qualifications alone are no longer a guaranteed ticket to economic independence. She urged young people to acquire hands-on skills that match changing market demands and enable them to establish sustainable businesses. Commending the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, she praised the competence-based curriculum for shifting focus away from purely theoretical learning.

To further combat unemployment, Ahereza pointed to the Presidential Industrial Zonal Hubs, which offer free vocational training across the country. She also encouraged the youth to tap into government financing structures like the Youth Livelihood Programme, Emyooga SACCOs, and the Parish Development Model (PDM). She noted that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s proposed increase of the PDM youth allocation to 60 percent will further widen access to startup capital, though she cautioned beneficiaries to exercise financial discipline and avoid misusing funds.

Beyond domestic markets, Ahereza challenged young entrepreneurs to look at the broader picture by taking advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By improving product quality and pursuing cross-border trade, Ugandan youth can scale their businesses regionally. She concluded that tackling unemployment calls for a unified effort between the government, the private sector, and young people taking the initiative to transform their economic futures.

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