Is Uganda ready for the Gen Z labour force?

What the report says

The Observer published a viewpoint asking whether Uganda is ready for Generation Z workers, using the image of a young employee being asked to print, sign, scan and resend an electronic report to illustrate how outdated processes can waste time and discourage innovation. The piece argues that preparing for younger workers is not just about hiring them, but about creating productive jobs, practical training and institutions that can adapt to new ways of working.

The article describes Gen Z broadly as people born from the late 1990s to around 2010, while noting that their experiences vary widely depending on education, income, geography and access to technology. It cites international survey findings to suggest that many younger workers value skills development, reliable pay and work-life balance alongside career advancement. The writer also cautions that digital fluency does not automatically equal workplace competence, and that employers still need to provide clear expectations, feedback and reasonable flexibility where possible.

Using Uganda-specific labour data and policy references, the piece highlights a serious employment challenge for young people, including unemployment and a large share of 15-24 year-olds who are not in employment, education or training. It points to a persistent mismatch between education outcomes and labour-market needs, and says the gap is not solved by technology alone. The article welcomes recent steps such as Uganda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act, 2025, and new admissions information for TVET programmes, presenting them as opportunities to strengthen skills formation and employer involvement.