In a bold move to address Uganda’s youth unemployment crisis, BrighterMonday Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, hosted a high-impact stakeholder event under the theme “Take Control: Own Your Career Path.”
The half-day career clinic brought together over 60 participants—including young job seekers, private sector leaders, policymakers, and innovators—at Motiv in Kampala.
At the heart of the event was a message of urgency and empowerment: Uganda’s youth must not wait for opportunity—they must be equipped to shape their own future.
The event featured an interactive panel discussion, breakout sessions for both job seekers and employers, and demonstrations of BrighterMonday’s new AI-powered career tools designed to help youth navigate the job market more effectively.
The centerpiece panel, titled “Skills for Today: Empowering Uganda’s Youth to Take Control of Their Future,” featured leaders from innovation, human capital, MSMEs, and youth employment sectors.
Discussions focused on closing the gap between education and work, the role of technology, and the need for mindset shifts among both youth and employers.
BrighterMonday Uganda’s Country Programme Lead, Pamela Kabahesi, emphasized the importance of digital readiness:
In a separate employer masterclass, recruiters explored the future of hiring in a digital-first era, with an emphasis on inclusive, skills-based approaches.
Meanwhile, breakout sessions for youth tackled real-world topics like building a strong online presence, preparing for remote work, and future-proofing their careers.
Attendees also interacted with experiential booths showcasing BrighterMonday’s new career resources, including a hands-on AI career assistant that offers personalized job search guidance.
The event forms part of a larger take control campaign aimed at equipping 140,000+ young Ugandans with the tools, knowledge, and access they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.
With Uganda’s youth making up over 70% of the population, events like this signal a renewed urgency—and a shared responsibility—to invest in the future of work. And for those in attendance, one message rang loudest: the future belongs to those ready to take control.
Speaking at the event, the CEO of The African Talent Company (TATC) Hilda Kabushenga said the session was not just discussing youth empowerment but actively shaping what it looks like.
“To employers, business owners, leaders, and development partners: the future of our businesses and institutions is seated right here. These are ambitious, talented, and hard-working young people who, with the proper training and support, can become valuable contributors to any team,” Kabushenga said.
“This is the heart of our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Together, we are committed to equipping young people with the employability skills they need to thrive in a constantly evolving job market. And we are deeply passionate about inclusion — ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has access to dignified work that matches their talents and aspirations.”
She however insisted that the future of work is not something to wait for but build together.
