BrighterMonday Uganda has launched the ‘HireNow Tour’ in Arua as part of a broader effort to bridge the youth employment gap across Northern Uganda.
The launch, held at the Arua District Council Hall, brought together more than 180 participants, including business leaders, employers, and young people.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Advance Afrika, and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), aims to boost youth employability through targeted upskilling and direct job placement.
Speaking at the event, Jeff Luboga, the Head of Workforce at BrighterMonday Uganda, reiterated the key focus of their approach: the Gen-Kazi programme, an upskilling and placement effort delivered in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
He told participants that the program is tailored to equip young Ugandans with practical, demand-driven skills required in today’s labour market, emphasizing a transition from relying solely on academic qualifications to valuing employable skills.
The launch received strong backing from the local leadership. Arua District Chairman Alfred Okuonzi urged businesses to invest in young people by creating opportunities for them.
He stressed the need to skill the youth with competencies that match the realities of the job market.
Other leaders in attendance included the Resident City Commissioner and the Town Clerk, confirming local government support for the private-sector-led employment initiative.
The HireNow Tour will continue across Northern Uganda, with planned stops in Gulu on November 20, 2025, and Lira on November 26, 2025.
The tour seeks to directly connect skilled youth with employers within their regions, decentralizing job access and boosting local economic growth.
