Unemployment remains a major concern in Uganda, with graduates facing an increasingly challenging job market as employers warn that academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to secure employment.
Recruiters are increasingly targeting candidates who can demonstrate practical skills, critical thinking and the ability to solve workplace problems.
Although public service jobs largely rely on formal academic qualifications, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee placement, given the overwhelming number of applicants competing for limited positions.
Human resources experts and manufacturers say private-sector employers pay more attention to what candidates can do, how quickly they can learn and the value they can add to an organisation.
Thousands of graduates enter the job market as available positions remain limited, leaving some qualified young people unemployed and others in jobs offering little opportunity for career growth.