80% of Apprenticeship Programme Beneficiaries Secure Jobs – Labour Ministry

What the report says

Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development says about four in five participants who completed the National Apprenticeship Programme have gone on to jobs with the organisations where they trained. The update, reported by Nile Post, comes as the government begins training another 500 young people under the programme.

The National Apprenticeship Programme, launched in 2018, is designed to help university and other tertiary graduates build practical skills and workplace experience alongside their academic qualifications. According to State Minister for Labour Simon Mulongo, many young jobseekers struggle because employers want hands-on experience as well as classroom knowledge. The ministry says the initiative is meant to close that gap by placing beneficiaries in relevant work environments.

Mulongo said the government sets aside about Shs3 billion each year for the programme, covering preparation, monitoring and allowances during placement. Ministry official Isaac Rubagumya also described the selection process and said applicants are matched with organisations that can provide suitable exposure.

The reported employment outcome is significant because youth unemployment and the mismatch between education and labour-market expectations remain major concerns in Uganda. While the ministry presents the programme as a bridge into work, the broader context is that many graduates still face barriers to securing their first job without prior experience.