The Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Severus Jjumba, has expressed concern over the growing number of graduates who leave institutions of higher learning but struggle to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions.
Bishop Jjumba made the remarks during a Mass held at Garden Courts Hotel as Catholic professionals under their umbrella body, the Association of Catholic Professionals Masaka Diocese marked Labour Day.
In his homily, the Bishop said that while more Ugandans are attaining qualifications, many lack the ability to apply their skills in real-life situations, a gap he warned could hinder national development.
“We are producing many graduates today, but a big number of them cannot put what they studied into practice. This is a serious challenge that affects not only individuals but the entire country,” he said.
He encouraged professionals to document and formalise their work, citing coffee farmers as an example of how organised registration can help improve production and ease access to markets.
“When people organise themselves and document what they do, like coffee farmers have done, it becomes easier to improve quality and connect to better markets,” he added.
The chairperson of the association, John Paul Kagombe Mugwanya, called on members to serve as role models in their respective fields by demonstrating integrity and excellence.
“Let us be good examples in our workplaces. Our faith should be visible through the way we carry out our duties,” Mugwanya said.
The Head of Laity in the diocese, Regina Kitaka Nalubega, said the association aims to integrate Christian values into professional work and urged workers to avoid practices that could compromise their faith or professionalism.
“Our goal is to ensure that Christianity guides our daily work. We must avoid actions that put us in temptation or discredit our professions,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of political leaders, Rose Nalubowa encouraged Christians to remain committed and honest in their work to improve their incomes.
“Hard work and honesty are key if we are to grow our incomes and improve our livelihoods,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Joseph Sserwanja Mukasa urged professionals to maintain high standards and called on employers to treat workers fairly.
“Professionals must uphold quality in what they do, but employers also have a responsibility to ensure fair and humane treatment of workers,” he said.
The Labour Day celebrations brought together Catholic professionals from across Masaka Diocese, with a strong call for aligning education, faith and practical skills to drive meaningful development.
