The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 1,000 young job seekers and 59 employers converged in Gulu for the inaugural career fair organised by BrighterMonday Uganda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, in a move aimed at narrowing the gap between talent and opportunity in Northern Uganda.
Held under the theme Matching Ambition with Opportunity, the event brought together employers, graduates, and early-career professionals in what organisers described as a targeted intervention to address youth unemployment and regional disparities in access to jobs.
The fair comes at a time when Uganda’s labour market is increasingly shifting toward a skills- first model, with employers placing greater emphasis on adaptability and interpersonal competencies over formal qualifications alone.
Insights shared at the event indicated that nearly 65% of employers now prioritise soft skills such as emotional intelligence and adaptability, pointing to a disconnect between training systems and workplace expectations.
By hosting the event in Gulu, organisers signalled a broader push to decentralise access to employment opportunities, particularly in regions where job seekers often face limited exposure to recruiters and industry networks.
Local leaders and academic representatives attending the event framed it as a critical bridge between education and employment. Gulu City LC3 Vice Chairperson Atim Vickie urged participants to prioritise practical skills in navigating the labour market.
The message was echoed by keynote speaker Ojok Walter, who encouraged young people to begin with available resources and focus on preparation as a pathway to success.
Unlike traditional career fairs that focus largely on networking, the Gulu event incorporated live recruitment sessions, with employers conducting on-the-spot interviews.
This approach resulted in several participants securing immediate job offers, reducing reliance on lengthy digital recruitment processes and enabling employers to assess candidates beyond paper qualifications.
Organisers say the model reflects a shift toward more outcome-driven recruitment platforms, where efficiency and direct engagement are prioritised.
The fair also introduced participants to an AI-powered career support tool designed to enhance job readiness.
Through a live demonstration, job seekers interacted with an AI Career Assistant capable of optimising CVs for modern recruitment systems, conducting mock interviews, and offering guidance on salary negotiation and career progression.
The integration of such tools reflects a growing trend of leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline job searches and align candidates with employer expectations in an increasingly digital labour market.
The initiative is anchored in the Gen-Kazi (Generation Kazi) Programme, a joint effort between BrighterMonday Uganda and the Mastercard Foundation aimed at supporting young people to access dignified and sustainable work.
The programme focuses on equipping youth with what organisers describe as “power skills,” while positioning career support as a continuous process rather than a one-time job search.
By combining skilling, technology, and employer engagement, the programme seeks to address structural barriers that have historically limited youth participation in the formal labour market.
