First Deputy Premier Rebecca Kadaga has warned job seekers against falling victim to fake employment opportunities, saying unscrupulous individuals are exploiting youths’ desperation for jobs to lure them into illegal activities. Kadaga said she has been receiving distress calls from youths who were allegedly coerced into travelling to different parts of the country after responding to fraudulent job adverts posted on social media.
She made the remarks while addressing congregants during the climax of the Busoga Prayer Week in Mayuge District. Kadaga said some individuals post fake job advertisements and invite unsuspecting job seekers to apply for positions that do not exist. According to Kadaga, some of those who respond to the adverts are transported in trucks and confined in unknown locations, where they are allegedly subjected to exploitation and asked to pay money to facilitate what they believe are employment opportunities.
She said some of the victims have ended up in illegal mining activities and other unlawful operations, while others have reportedly been exposed to groups suspected of involvement in terrorism and armed activities. Kadaga said she has received numerous calls from stranded youths in areas including Kasese and Busia, asking for assistance to return home after allegedly spending months under the control of people who had promised them employment.
She urged job seekers to exercise caution when responding to employment adverts, particularly those circulated through social media, and to verify the authenticity of prospective employers before travelling or making payments. Kadaga acknowledged the high levels of unemployment but cautioned that desperation for jobs can make young people vulnerable to fraud and exploitation.
Meanwhile, Third Deputy Premier and Mayuge District Woman Member of Parliament Lukia Nakadama urged youths to embrace vocational and skills-training centres as a pathway to sustainable employment and entrepreneurship. Nakadama said skills development can enable young people to establish small enterprises and eventually create employment for others instead of waiting for formal jobs.
She said seemingly small businesses, when managed consistently and supported by their owners, can grow into successful enterprises capable of transforming household incomes and creating employment. Nakadama said increased youth participation in productive economic activities could help transform the economic fortunes of the Busoga Sub-region by enabling more people to participate directly in the money economy through production, trade and other businesses.
The annual prayer week, organised by the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), focused on seeking divine intervention to foster unity among the people of Busoga and address the high levels of poverty in the region. The prayers were presided over by the Busoga Regional Assistant to the Muft, Dr. Sheikh Hussein Bowa, who challenged youths to make use of the resources available to them as they work towards building sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Bowa said many successful businesses started on a small scale and were gradually developed through persistence and reinvestment. He urged youths to draw inspiration from successful entrepreneurs in the Busoga Sub-region and avoid being held back by self-pity or a lack of initial capital.
The Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Grace Lubaale, also challenged youths to believe in their ability to create opportunities for themselves instead of waiting for others to assist. Lubaale said young people who fail to take advantage of available opportunities risk leaving them to individuals who are prepared to work hard and use them to improve their livelihoods-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
