Students Urged to Embrace Volunteer Work to Tackle Unemployment

Students have been encouraged to take up voluntary work to build practical skills and improve their employability, as experts warn that academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient in an increasingly competitive job market.

Students have been urged to engage in voluntary work as a way of gaining practical experience and essential skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

The call was delivered by Amon Mukamasiimwe, the Head of Journalism and Mass Communication at Uganda Christian University’s Bishop Barham College in Kabale, while speaking as keynote speaker during a one-day career guidance seminar organized by Hearing Heart, a Christian ministry focused on empowering young people through sports, music, career guidance, and spiritual support.

The seminar was held at the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE), formerly National Teachers College Kabale, attracting participants from various universities and tertiary institutions across the district, as well as A-Level students from selected schools within Kabale Municipality.

Mukamasiimwe urged students to actively seek volunteer opportunities as a way of building skills and gaining experience even before completing their studies.

He emphasized that the current job market is highly competitive, giving an advantage to those who already possess relevant experience, and cautioned students against remaining idle while waiting for formal employment.

“Use social media platforms constructively by showcasing your talents and abilities rather than engaging in gossip or entertainment. Employers are increasingly looking for individuals who can think critically and provide solutions to problems, making it important for you students to demonstrate these qualities during job applications and interviews,” Mukamasiimwe said.

The Director of Hearing Heart, Arnold Arinaitwe, said the seminar aimed to equip young people with knowledge and wisdom to navigate the growing global unemployment crisis.

He referenced the biblical story of Solomon in 1 Kings 3:9, where the king asked God for wisdom to distinguish right from wrong, urging students to prioritize wisdom in decision-making.

Speaking on behalf of the Dean of the UNITE Kabale Campus, Chief Librarian Patrick Katusabe expressed appreciation to the organizers for selecting the institution as the venue.

“The seminar came at an important time as UNITE prepares to graduate its first cohort of Bachelor’s degree students around 2028 or 2029,” Katusabe said.

According to the International Labour Organization’s Employment and Social Trends 2026 report, the global youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 stands at about 12.4 percent in early 2026, representing roughly 260 million unemployed young people worldwide.

In Uganda, youth unemployment stands at 12.3 percent, according to the 2024 National Census.

Additionally, while more than 700,000 young people enter the labour market each year, only about 90,000 secure formal employment, leaving the majority without jobs, underscoring the urgency for alternative pathways such as volunteering to gain experience and improve job prospects.