Executive Director Enterprise Uganda Charles Ocici has urged all employees to engage in entrepreneurship.This was during the BrighterMonday Career Expo held on 29th January, 2016 at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds. He said that that having been in the entrepreneurship field for 15 years, he believed with certainty that it’s possible to be a full time employee while running one’s own enterprise.
The Expo which was organised with an aim of addressing the widespread unemployment challenge in Uganda attracted a thousands of revelers including fresh university graduates, people in search of career upgrades as well as people who have been unemployed for several years. The Expo was attended by over 30 organisations who shared information with revelers such as ‘what it takes to work in their organisations’, ‘current opportunities available in their organisations’ and ‘tips on how to set oneself up for success’.
Speaking during a press briefing held at the event, Joshua Mugisha Country Manager BrighterMonday explained that the Career Expo is a one of a kind event in Uganda aimed at creating a physical platform through which employers and job seekers can connect.
He noted that the BrighterMonday Career Expo will empower attendees to make informed decisions about their career paths.
“We believe that the Career Expo will become one of the many platforms that addresses the various challenges of finding the right candidates and finding the right employer especially in this era of rampant youth unemployment and unemployability in Uganda,” he said.
Former Uganda Investment Authority Executive Director, Dr. Maggie Kigozi attended the event as the Guest of Honour. She expressed pleasure at the sight of the huge number of youths that turned up in search for job opportunities.
“I am very pleased that youth in Uganda are seeking for opportunities in the field rather than sitting at home waiting for them.” She said. She urged youth who have failed to find jobs immediately to join entrepreneurship. “Enterprise Uganda is a Government Agency that can help you grow as an entrepreneur.” She said. Dr. Kigozi explained that she has personally been involved with different businesses throughout her life including poultry farming among others and is not ashamed to call herself a farmer.
Rosemary Ssenabulya, the Executive Director Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) who also attended the event explained that FUE is working hand in hand with its partners to encourage employers to take on fresh graduates
for training in order to address the experience gap affecting graduate employability.
An entrepreneurship hub manned by Enterprise Uganda was also available at the Career Expo. The exhibiting entrepreneurs showcased products made in Uganda including peanut butter paste, beaded bags, charcoal stoves,
packaged rice among others.
Other activities carried out at the BrighterMonday Career Expo included career guidance sessions conducted by Boston Enterprises, Restless Development and People’s Performance Group PPG. Topics covered during the sessions included; building self esteem, job hunt experience, lessons and solutions, CV writing and interview skills, getting ahead and Personal SWOT analysis.
Event attendees won a number of prizes during the various activities carried out; prizes included free internet for the month, airtime for the month and gift hampers from all the participating organisations.
Participating organistions at the Career Expo included Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Ministry Of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Enterprise Uganda, NTV, Capital FM, AIESEC, Human Resource Managers Association of Uganda (HRMAU), Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), ROKE Telecom, Cheki Uganda and Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), Uganda Revenue Authority, Global Health Corps, Victoria University, UAP Insurance, SMS2Bet, AAR among others.
Eva Slootweg, the CEO BrighterMonday East Africa concluded by thanking all participants for attending the event.