The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has deployed 138 young people under the Graduate Volunteer and Apprenticeship Programme as part of ongoing efforts to equip Uganda’s youth with practical workplace skills and reduce unemployment.
Speaking during the orientation of the first cohort, Skills Development Officer Zachary Kansiime said the programme targets young people aged 18 to 35 who often struggle to secure employment due to lack of work experience, despite holding academic qualifications.
Kansiime noted that participants have been placed across key sectors including agriculture, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, construction, and oil and gas. He explained that recruitment follows a demand-driven approach, with employers submitting vacancies through the Apprenticeship Management Information System, which digitally matches applicants to available positions.
He added that more than 1,380 apprentices and over 330 graduate volunteers have so far benefited from the initiative. According to him, the programme gives special consideration to women, girls, and persons with disabilities to promote inclusive access to opportunities.
Kansiime urged host institutions to ensure safe working environments and compliance with occupational safety and health standards, while encouraging trainees to uphold discipline, adaptability, and professionalism.
The Ministry further announced that another recruitment exercise will open next month, offering additional opportunities for young people to join the programme.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association, Jean Byamugisha, described the apprenticeship model as a game changer for the hospitality industry. She said the association, which pioneered the National Apprenticeship Framework in the hotel sector, is currently running its third cohort and trains about 200 young people annually.
Byamugisha noted that the programme has achieved an 80 percent employment retention rate, with most trainees securing jobs after completion. She attributed this success to the hands-on training approach, which places participants directly in workplaces to gain skills aligned with industry needs.
Beneficiaries welcomed the programme as a vital bridge between classroom learning and the labour market. Waiyi Joseph Emmanuel Wani, a legal assistant attached to the National Planning Authority, said he learned about the initiative through social media and believes it will help him gain the practical experience demanded by employers.
Another beneficiary, Nuwasiimire Marvin Tamera, a legal assistant at Crawford and Saddlers Advocates, said the exposure will strengthen his legal career through client interaction, legal drafting, court processes, and mentorship from experienced practitioners.
The apprenticeship and graduate volunteer programme is among government interventions aimed at improving youth employability through hands-on experience and skills development.
