BrighterMonday Uganda has stepped up its campaign to tackle youth unemployment and bridge the skills gap, convening 490 young professionals for a Career Cupid Career Clinic at Kyambogo University’s CTF Auditorium.
The clinic, held under the theme “Stop Searching, Start Matching,” focused on equipping participants with practical tools to align their competencies with current labour market demands.
Organisers emphasised that academic credentials alone are no longer sufficient in a rapidly evolving employment landscape.
Opening the event on behalf of the Dean of Students, Joseph Collins Ssemmanda urged students to take ownership of their professional journeys. He underscored the importance of strategic planning, resilience, and embracing entry-level opportunities such as internships as stepping stones to long-term career growth.
Keynote speaker Eng. Joseph Kigozi challenged attendees to pursue excellence and continuously refine their expertise. He noted that in a competitive job environment, sustained commitment to quality and personal development distinguishes candidates beyond their qualifications.
Central to the event was the Gen-Kazi (Generation Kazi) initiative, a programme designed to ease the transition from education to employment. Jeffery Luboga, Head of Workforce Development at BrighterMonday Uganda, said the initiative encourages young people to adopt a proactive approach to career positioning.
According to Luboga, how candidates present themselves — through customised CVs, relevant competencies, and strong communication — plays a decisive role in securing opportunities.
Participants engaged in hands-on sessions including CV review workshops and mock interviews aimed at sharpening presentation and interpersonal skills. The event also facilitated interaction with employers, providing students with insights into industry expectations and recruitment standards.
Guest speaker Solomon King highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern workplaces.
He described AI as accelerating changes in hiring standards and job functions, urging young professionals to strengthen uniquely human skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity.
Organisers noted that employers increasingly cite deficiencies in soft skills — including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving — as major barriers to hiring. Addressing these gaps, they said, is vital to improving employability outcomes.
By the end of the clinic, organisers said the objective had gone beyond job placement. Instead, the focus was on reshaping mindsets — encouraging youth to see career growth as a deliberate, continuous process.
Through the Gen-Kazi initiative, BrighterMonday Uganda aims to position itself not merely as a recruitment platform, but as a long-term partner supporting young people to navigate an increasingly competitive and technology-driven labour market.
