The government has been urged to embrace modern technology as a key driver in tackling youth unemployment and creating sustainable job opportunities for graduates.
The appeal was made during the 15th anniversary celebrations of Help Africa, a Denmark-founded non-profit organisation that supports and educates vulnerable children in Uganda.
Held under the theme of youth empowerment, the event brought together educators, community leaders, and international partners who reiterated the importance of skilling Uganda’s young population in line with evolving global demands.
Kim Madsen, the Danish founder of Help Africa, underscored the transformative power of technology in preparing youth for the modern workforce.
“By embracing the power of technology, we can turn youth into productive citizens—not just locally, but on a global scale,” Madsen said.
“When we give young people the right tools and knowledge, we give them hope, dignity, and a future.”
Since its establishment, Help Africa has supported over 1,400 vulnerable children across Uganda through education and extracurricular programmes that include sports and vocational training.
Many of these children, including orphans and former street kids, have gone on to complete university degrees—some even studying abroad—while others have gained vocational skills that have enabled them to start businesses and become self-reliant.
Development partners at the event cited Help Africa’s success as a model that could be replicated across the country if supported by robust government policy.
They stressed that integrating technology in education and youth empowerment schemes could unlock opportunities not only in urban centres but also in rural communities, where access to formal employment remains limited.
“Uganda’s youth are innovative and resilient, but they need tools that match the realities of today’s economy,” said one speaker.
“We must move beyond textbook learning to digital fluency, entrepreneurial thinking, and skills that solve real-world problems.”
With youth unemployment persistently high in Uganda, stakeholders are increasingly pointing to technology—such as digital literacy programmes, coding boot camps, and tech incubators—as essential pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
They are calling on the government to collaborate more closely with organisations like Help Africa to scale such initiatives nationally.
The anniversary event, which also featured success stories from former beneficiaries, served as both a celebration of impact and a call to action.
As Uganda’s youthful population continues to grow, participants urged policymakers to recognise that meaningful investment in technology and education is not just a development strategy, but a necessity for national stability and growth.