Museveni tips institutions on career development

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President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated his call to the institutions of learning, to guide their students on ways to make wise career choices, by selecting science and technology-related subjects.

The President noted that since Uganda now has enough electricity, good roads and peace, that his government is prioritizing industrialization to reduce the hemorrhage caused by the excessive importation of commodities that can competitively be produced in Uganda.

“When we import items, we donate both money and jobs to foreigners leaving our own children unemployed. More industries in Uganda means more jobs for the population and taxes to the government to carry out development projects, “The President said in his speech delivered by Vice President, Jessica Alupo, on Friday at the closure of the four days Uganda Education and Career Expo hosted at Ntare School in Mbarara City.

Vice President Jessica Alupo accompanied by other guests posing for a photo in front of a dormitory block she commissioned at Ntare school in Mbarara city on Friday. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

The President informed participants at the Expo that the demand for skilled manpower is increasing in the country, emphasizing a call to equip students to adapt to a rapidly changing global economy which is mainly driven by science and technology.

President also pointed out that the lack of technical skills affected the development of the middle class in Uganda. He observed that a skilled middle class would have been job creators rather than job seekers.

He congratulated Ntare School alongside Nadah Events, for successfully organizing the Uganda Education and Career Expo.

He hailed Ntare School for its non-sectarianism stand.

“It is unfortunate that colonial education entrenched religious sectarianism; it was highly divisive. The religious frictions that poised the politics of Uganda, also affected the rest of society and the education sector was not spared."

(Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

The arrangement mostly affected the Muslim children. They were not able to receive education since both the Catholic and Protestant founded schools mostly refused to accept them, and no funding was available from outside to establish Muslim Schools, they didn’t enter the education sector formally.  I thank Ntare School for keeping the correct line as it is taught in the Bible," said the President.

At the event, Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports represented the First Lady and minister of education and sports, Janet Kataha Museveni.

She hailed the inciteful theme of the Expo and rallied all those in the education sector to support Uganda’s 2040 Vision transformation from peasantry into a modern Uganda.

Vice President Jessica Alupo accompanied by other guests posing for a photo in front of a dormitory block she commissioned at Ntare school in Mbarara city on Friday. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

She also challenged all teachers to focus on ensuring every learner is developed to full potential and becomes an adult who will contribute to the personal, family, community and national development but who will also be competitive regionally and internationally.

Vice President Jessica Alupo accompanied by other guests commissioning a dormitory block at Ntare school in Mbarara city on Friday. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

About Education Expo

The Expo, the first of its kind attracted thousands of participants and exhibitors from different parts of the country including education experts from the diaspora, and was organized under the theme “Transforming Ambitions into Achievements: Your Career, Your Future”.

According to Zam Nabirye, CEO Nadah Events, the Expo organizer, the event was aimed at bridging the gap between education and career aspiration by equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary for academic and professional success.  

“This landmark event will provide a dynamic platform for students, job seekers, and professionals to explore career opportunities, access educational resources, and engage in impactful networking with top industry leaders, Nabirye-stated.  

The Uganda Education and Career Expo 2025 has incorporated a multifaceted approach to ensure that all stakeholders including students, parents, educators, and professionals derive maximum benefit.

Saul Rwampororo, head teacher Ntare School, requested substantial funding to support the Expo to ensure its sustainability. Rwampororo also reminded the government of its promise made in 2015 to build Ntare School into a five-star school.

Ntare School chairman board, Prof. Charles Kwesiga, challenged students at Ntare School and other schools that participated in the Expo to aim at pursuing good values.

In his comments; Mbarara City Mayor, Robert Kakyebezi, thanked the NRM government for supporting the education sector but asked the government to address the issue of understaffing in schools.

Kakyebezi told guests at the Expo that as Mbarara City leaders, they are ready to drag President Museveni to courts of law should he fail to show up in 2026 as NRM presidential candidate for Presidency.

Kakyebezi said as Mbarara leaders they, see President Museveni as the only leader with the potential to address some of the pressing issues the city urgently needs.

The issues; he mentioned the need to construct a permanent Katete bridge, establish an International Airport at Nyakisharara and establish an industrial park in Mbarara to create more jobs for many unemployed youths in the city, among others.