By Ronald Alele Ongwech
Geneva, Switzerland | Uganda has outlined a bold, multi-billion-shilling strategy aimed at tackling unemployment and driving inclusive growth, with a strong emphasis on agricultural transformation, youth skilling, and labour rights.
Speaking at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi Akena, unveiled Uganda’s roadmap to generate millions of jobs and expand economic opportunity amidst global challenges such as jobless growth, climate shocks, and geopolitical instability.
Amongi emphasized Uganda’s commitment to restoring the social contract between the government and its people one grounded in “economic growth, jobs, and rights.”
Agriculture at the Heart of Uganda’s Economic Renewal
Highlighting agriculture as the largest employer in Uganda, Minister Amongi revealed a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the sector through:
- Enhanced productivity via affordable credit, improved inputs, modern farming technology, and efficient logistics.
- Market access and investment promotion through regional trade linkages and private sector-led agro-industrialization.
These efforts, she said, are intended not only to modernize agriculture but to generate thousands of rural jobs in processing, logistics, and agribusiness.
2 Million Jobs Already Created
Over the past five years, Uganda has recorded notable progress in job creation, with close to 2 million formal jobs generated. The Minister attributed this to:
- Macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.
- Strategic infrastructure investment in electricity and roads.
- Prioritization of key sectors like tourism, ICT, and services.
- Enhanced land access for industrial development.
- Expansion of climate-resilient cross-border trade.
Empowering Women, Youth, and Entrepreneurs
Amongi outlined targeted reforms and financial investments to support inclusion and entrepreneurship, including:
- Skilling programs under the Presidential Skilling Centres and technical institutes, equipping youth and women with tools to transition from informal to formal employment.
- Massive capital injection through initiatives like Emyooga, YLP, UWEP, GROW, and Parish Development Model (PDM). These have cumulatively attracted over UGX 8.09 trillion (approx. USD 2.25 billion) in the past decade to support SMEs, agro-processing, innovation, and export-oriented enterprises.
Promoting Decent Work and Labour Rights
Uganda is also strengthening its legal framework to uphold decent work standards. Amongi announced intensified inspections, partnerships with employers and unions, and whistleblower channels to ensure compliance with the Employment Act and labour regulations.
She further highlighted the launch of Uganda’s third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), a five-year plan backed by USD 67.96 million, which aims to address key deficits in worker rights, occupational safety, and employment quality through social dialogue and institutional strengthening.
Global Commitment, Local Impact
Minister Amongi concluded by reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to the International Labour Organization (ILO) framework and global labour standards.
She described Uganda’s national strategy as “a model of integrated action” to ensure economic inclusion, employment growth, and protection for all workers.
