Uganda government has announced plans to increase support for youth skills development as a way of addressing unemployment and reducing the number of young Ugandans seeking jobs abroad.
The Vice President Jessica Alupo says with 73.2 percent of the population aged between 0 and 30 years, and a projected population increase to 104 million by 2060 from 45.9 million in 2024 the potential for economic growth is substantial, there is need to unlock the potential of Uganda’s Youth Labour Force and make the right investments in health, education, and skills development.
‘’It is encouraging to note improvements in the Human Development Index, which increased to 0.550 in 2022 from 0.525 in 2021, moving Uganda from the low to the medium human development category. However, human capital remains underdeveloped. The Human Capital Index stands at 0.38, indicating that a child born today will only achieve 38 percent of their full productivity potential with complete education and full health,”she stated as she opened the 4th National Labour Convention in Kampala.
she further said government will focus on promotion of investment and industrial growth to expand job creation across priority sectors,strengthen wealth creation and enterprise development initiatives, including support to small and medium enterprises and youth led businesses as drivers of new employment opportunities.
The Vice President also said that government will strengthen labour administration and compliance, including enforcement of labour laws, policies, guidelines, standards and protect workers’ rights across the country.
This year’s convention was organized under the theme, “Unlocking the Potential of Uganda’s Youth Labour Force: Advancing Productivity and Expanding Opportunities for Decent Work,”
Alupo noted that the theme underscores positioning the youthful labour force as a catalyst for productivity, enterprise growth, and structural transformation across priority sectors, while strengthening labour governance systems that protect workers and promote decent work, as emphasized in the NRM Manifesto 2026–2031.
Alupo however noted that many young people continue to face challenges in accessing meaningful work due to skills mismatches, limited access to finance, and inadequate linkages between education and the labour market yet addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring that youth actively contribute to national development.
Government Interventions
Uganda government established Industrial Court, Medical Arbitration Board, and Labour Advisory Boards to improve dispute resolution and strengthen social dialogue among employers, workers, and government. Government also ratified key ILO conventions which have helped to align national labour standards with international best practices.
Minister of Gender Betty Amongi said government has prioritized wealth creation, job creation, and socio-economic transformation at the centre of the development agenda citing strategic initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, the Youth Livelihood Programme, the Skilling Uganda Strategy, and reforms in in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, which are empowering young people with the skills, capital, and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in the economy.
“Government is deliberately shifting focus not just on job creation, but on creating quality, productive, and decent jobs that can sustain livelihoods and drive inclusive growth. ‘’Investment in industrialization, infrastructure development, digital innovation, and regional integration complement these efforts, expanding opportunities for our youth across all sectors of the economy,’’ she said.
Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe stated that government is committed to fighting corruption in recruitment processes within public service, emphasizing that only qualified individuals should be given jobs.
