BrighterMonday Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, hosted a career empowerment event Tuesday aimed at tackling Uganda’s pressing youth unemployment crisis. The “Take Control: Own Your Career Path” clinic brought together over 60 young job seekers, private sector leaders, and policymakers at Motiv in Kampala.
The event underscored a message of urgency and empowerment: young Ugandans must be equipped to shape their own futures. It 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.
“We are standing before a tremendous opportunity,” Hilda Kabushenga, CEO of TATC, said in her keynote address. “With over 70% of our population under the age of 30, Uganda is rich in potential. Yet, youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time.” Kabushenga emphasized that closing this gap requires strong, intentional partnerships.
The central panel, “Skills for Today: Empowering Uganda’s Youth to Take Control of Their Future,” included leaders from innovation, human capital, and youth employment sectors. Discussions focused on bridging the gap between education and work, the role of technology, and the need for mindset shifts among both young people and employers.
Pamela Kabahesi, BrighterMonday Uganda’s Country Programme Lead, highlighted the importance of digital readiness. “Our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is dedicated to equipping young people with the employability skills needed to thrive in a constantly evolving job market,” Kabahesi stated. “We are deeply passionate about inclusion, ensuring every young person has access to dignified work that matches their talents and aspirations.”
In a separate employer masterclass, recruiters explored the future of hiring in a digital-first era, with an emphasis on inclusive, skills-based approaches. Simultaneously, breakout sessions for young attendees tackled practical topics such as building a strong online presence, preparing for remote work, and future-proofing their careers. Participants also engaged with experiential booths showcasing BrighterMonday’s new career resources, including an AI career assistant offering personalized job search guidance.
The event is part of a larger #TakeControl campaign designed to equip more than 140,000 young Ugandans with the necessary tools, knowledge, and access to succeed.
“We can’t keep preparing young people for work without preparing the workplaces that are meant to receive them,” Rita Ngenzi, Executive Director at Motiv, noted at the event. Media personality Douglas Lwanga also shared his personal journey, encouraging attendees, “Your journey might not be perfect, but with passion & consistency, anything is possible.”
With Uganda’s youth comprising over 70% of its population, events like this signal a renewed urgency and a shared responsibility to invest in the future of work. The overarching message for those in attendance was clear: the future belongs to those ready to take control.
