Minister speaks ill against learning institutions producing low skilled graduates

By Gideon Peter Ssebulime

13^th Oct 2023

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has challenged institutions of higher learning to match the National plan of producing graduates with employable skills if the country is to address high unemployment levels.

While presiding over at the 6th graduation ceremony of Universal Institute of Graphics and Technology in Kampala said a number of both public and private institutions of higher learning currently produce people who don’t qualify for the job market which costs the government a lot of taxpayers’ money to retool them.

Baryomunsi says the government’s effort is to emphasize vocational and other skills training for the graduates to end the challenge of unemployment among young people.

A recent report from the National Planning Authority (NPA) revealed that 4.2 million youths in Uganda are ‘Neither in Employment, Education, nor Training- NEETs, representing 41 percent of the country’s younger population.

In addition to high unemployment rates, young people aged 18 to 29 are consistently disengaged from the labor market, education, training, and broader societal activities.

Baryomunsi also challenged the graduates to be hardworking, honest, patient and fair in all they do as they enter the job market.

In his remarks the Principal Eng. Julius Jackson Ssonko asked the graduates to understand that life after school be disciplined but aspire for greater heights.

A total of 67 students received certificates in various academic disciplines; diplomas and certificates in Information technology, multimedia, fashion and designing, phone repairing among.

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