President Yoweri Museveni has called on Ugandan youth to pursue professional and practical courses that offer ready job opportunities, as a way of tackling unemployment.
Speaking during this year’s Labour Day celebrations held at Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School in Matale, Buikwe District, the President said many young people graduate with degrees that do not easily translate into employment, leaving them idle.
He advised learners to embrace hands-on fields such as catering and service provision, where demand for skills remains high. Museveni also directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to develop guidelines that ensure students pursue more employable courses across institutions.
On human capital development, the President emphasized optimal land use for commercial agriculture as a means of creating surplus jobs. He cited success stories under the Parish Development Model, noting its potential to boost household incomes.
Museveni further pledged government support in securing land for investors and proposed that the National Housing and Construction Company construct affordable housing units for workers near industrial parks.
Addressing environmental concerns, he cautioned against the construction of fish ponds in the middle of wetlands, urging communities to instead place them at the edges to preserve ecosystems. He also warned that natural water bodies have limited capacity and cannot sustain all livelihoods.
The President advised the National Social Security Fund to prioritize investments in profitable ventures such as road construction rather than projects with low returns. He reiterated his commitment to increase funding for the Parish Development Model in the next term.
Museveni also pledged to rebuild the dilapidated Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School into a modern facility.
A total of 50 individuals were awarded medals during the celebrations, which were held under the theme: “Safeguarding Uganda’s progress, empowering the workforce and promoting decent work for competitive enterprises.”
By Olivia Nabaggala
1st May 2026
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