President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni used the national International Labour Day celebrations to deliver a strong message on the skills mismatch in Uganda’s education system and the need for more productive investment of workers’ savings.
Speaking at Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School grounds in Matale, Buikwe District, Museveni criticised graduates who pursue degrees he described as poorly aligned with the country’s economic needs.
“I recently met some young people with degrees in SWASA (Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration), another one in procurement and psychology,” the President recounted. “I asked the one with psychology: ‘What will you do with your degree?’ He said he can look at me and know my thinking. I asked him how many jobs are there for that.”
Museveni argued that such courses contribute little to wealth creation and job generation, adding that the country needs more practical skills in areas such as intensive commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and value addition.
He directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to guide learners towards courses that respond to market demands and advised graduates with “irrelevant” qualifications to consider retooling.
The President’s remarks come amid persistent youth unemployment challenges. Uganda needs to create approximately 884,000 new jobs annually to absorb its growing labour force, yet many graduates struggle to find meaningful employment.
Shift Savings to Productive Infrastructure
In a separate but related comment, Museveni turned his attention to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), urging the pension body to move away from heavy investment in government bonds towards more productive ventures.
“NSSF has a lot of money but they invest in non-profitable things like government bonds. Why can’t NSSF invest such money in toll roads?” he questioned.
The President emphasised that workers’ savings should finance infrastructure projects that generate long-term returns and create employment, rather than merely sitting in low-yield treasury instruments. NSSF currently manages over Shs26 trillion in funds.
Emphasis on Wealth Creation Through Agriculture
Museveni repeated his long-standing call for Ugandans to embrace intensive commercial farming, noting that the country has about 40 million acres of arable land that remains underutilised.
He pointed to government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) as vehicles to support wealth creation and shift the economy from dependency to self-reliance.
“By giving jobs we are going to change the economy of Uganda from being an economy of dependency to an economy of independence,” he said.
Theme and Broader Context
This year’s Labour Day was observed under the theme: “Safeguarding Uganda’s Progress: Empowering the Workforce and Promoting Decent Work for Competitive Enterprises.”
The celebrations coincided with the recent signing of the Employment (Amendment) Act, 2025, which President Museveni described as a gift to workers aimed at improving labour conditions.
Senior government officials, workers’ representatives, and local leaders attended the event, which featured a military guard of honour, cultural performances, and exhibitions of local products.
Reactions
Museveni’s comments on university courses are likely to spark fresh debate about curriculum reform and the role of higher education in national development. While some educationists argue for the value of social sciences, others agree that Uganda must prioritise science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and vocational skills if it is to industrialise and create sufficient jobs.
On the NSSF proposal, analysts say redirecting pension funds into infrastructure could accelerate development but must be done with strong governance to protect retirees’ savings.
As Uganda marks another Labour Day, President Museveni’s address underscored his administration’s focus on productivity, practical skills, and strategic investment as key drivers for transforming the economy and improving workers’ livelihoods.
