JOB CRISIS AMONG GRADUATES BITES: WHAT NEXT?

 In the Daily Monitor of 26th February 2026 on page 26 there was a story about graduates turning to casual labor as the job crisis bites. This requires serious reflection and attention in a nation where over 70% of the population is below 30 years. In the mind of any graduate is to get a decent job after gradation. That is what our education system wires us to think and work upon after graduation. But with the unprecedented rate of change a graduate must take caution about their career. No longer can a student or graduate leave their future to chance. The education curriculum is being changed to match the fast rate of change .Even policy makers are at a crossroads.

Today even traditional courses such as Law, Engineering and Medicine cannot guarantee a graduate a job. In the past when there was one university students would be head hunted by companies even before graduation. Today the situation has changed because even for a university student to get an internship placement is a tall order. Amidst such dilemmas what can be done? 

We need to reorient the graduates to a fast changing world. I have interacted with many graduates who are focused on reading for tests and exams and are not aware of government programs and policies related to their course. I have met university students who rarely read news papers yet media informs the world about the practical realities of life. University students need to know that being at campus is a privilege and should not be wasted. It is a time to develop social skills that will enable a student to thrive in a fast changing world. A university student can no longer afford to lead an isolated life. Life is about collaboration and we should expect university students to collaborate not only with colleagues but even the outside world.

The importance of mentorship can not be ignored in a fast changing world. The rate of change is alarming to the extent that the education ministry has directed universities to prepare for the competency based curriculum. This shows that both policy makers and lecturers are trying to cope with change. This is a signal to the graduate that they need guidance if they are to thrive in the job market. Most of the leading company executives attribute their success to mentorship. This means that university students can no longer base on their current knowledge to thrive in a competitive job market. 

The importance of financial literacy for university students is critical. The financial services industry is changing at a very fast rate. The key question is, how are university students being prepared for the change? It is common to find university students who assert that they do not need bank accounts since they are still students are not earning. That is an indicator of the need for sustained financial literacy training in education institutions. To save is a mindset and it is not based on the level of income. It is about prioritizing life such that even in the world of work the graduates can manage their money effectively. Today many financial institutions such as Equity Bank provide free financial literacy training to communities and university students can  tap into such opportunities.

The university students should also form collective investment schemes such as investment clubs and Community Based Organizations. There is power in working together. I know of a group of university students who formed an investment club and today it is a formidable company worth billions in investments and have invested in real estate.

Amidst the job crisis facing university graduates, there is hope as articulated above.


For individual and corporate financial literacy training contact :

Coach Phillip Kiryowa 

Personal Finance Coach(CPC)

Certified Master Trainer, Bank of Uganda 

Founder, Advanced Empowerment Link

0752615916.

For Financial Freedom and Sustainable Enterprises

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