The gap between employers and job seekers has been a significant challenge in Uganda’s labor force industry.
To address this issue and create employment opportunities, the French Embassy in Uganda, in partnership with Alliance Française de Kampala, Campus France, and the French Chamber of Commerce Uganda, organized the third edition of the Job and Education Fair.
The event took place at the French International School in Lugogo over the weekend, drawing hundreds of participants seeking career and academic opportunities.
The French Ambassador to Uganda, Xavier Sticker, emphasized that the event was a crucial opportunity for companies, job seekers, and partners to connect regarding employment.
He highlighted the importance of the French language in the global market, citing its influence among over 300 million speakers worldwide and the presence of numerous French companies in Uganda.
“The French language is a pathway to the global market since there are over 300 million people who speak the language, and there are many French companies in Uganda. The job fair is the right space, and also studying in France will create that global perception,” Ambassador Sticker stated.
The ambassador also stressed the fair’s role in fostering stronger ties between Uganda and France, particularly in education and economic cooperation.
He pointed out that academic exchanges and career mobility between the two countries are essential for Uganda’s workforce development.
“This event is a gateway for Ugandans to tap into the vast Francophone market of over 300 million people. French companies are among the biggest investors in Uganda, not just in the economy but also in human capital. We believe in investing in people, and that is why we are committed to being active in this space,” he added.
Ambassador Sticker further encouraged Ugandans to consider learning the French language as a stepping stone to international career opportunities. He highlighted the benefits of studying in France, which offers students a global perspective and access to a broad job market.
“The opportunities include opening up international opportunities for all those willing to study French as well as those aiming at working in France,” he noted.
The 2025 Job and Education Fair, held on March 15th, was a landmark event attended by over 740 students from various universities.
The fair provided a platform for young job seekers to interact with leading companies operating in Uganda, including: TotalEnergies Uganda, Brussels Airlines, Ruby Hospital, EcoBank, Campus France, Sheraton Hotels, Karveli, Sokoni Africa, Sea Owl, Lapaire among others.
According to Eric Touze, the event offered students an opportunity to learn critical skills such as CV writing and networking with potential employers, which are essential for bridging the unemployment gap.
“The job fair is a great opportunity for students to learn many things, including how to write a CV and also get connections, which heavily contributes to bridging the unemployment gap,” Touze noted.
Don Patrick Bugingo, the Executive Director of Don Swift, a fast-growing recruiting agency, highlighted the benefits of the job fair for recruitment agencies.
He stated that the event allowed them to directly connect with job seekers and educate them on employers’ expectations, which are often overlooked.
“The job fair has great opportunities for us since we have been able to directly link with job seekers and talk to them about a few aspects employers look out for that are normally overlooked,” Bugingo said.
The full-day event was a remarkable experience for many job seekers who got a chance to physically interact with potential employers and educational institutions.
In addition to career opportunities, the event provided information on higher education in France through Campus France, a program that facilitates Ugandan students’ enrollment in French universities.
The French Job and Education Fair 2025 reaffirmed the commitment of France and Uganda to strengthening employment and education ties, ensuring that Ugandans can access local and international opportunities for a better future.
