By KT Reporter
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF), has reported a beneficiary record of up 300,000 University students, in the 15 years of its Career Expo initiative. This program seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment in Uganda.
Speaking at the launch of the 15th edition of the expo at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono, NSSF Managing Director Patrick Ayota emphasized the initiative’s role in cultivating a focused career life amount the younger people, impart a savings culture among them. “The expo continues to serve as a critical platform for career guidance, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship training,” he added.
Ayota revealed that since its launch in 2010, the NSSF Career Expo has not only educated students on financial literacy but also inspired long-term saving habits, with legacy of over 300,000 beneficiaries since inception.
According to Ayota, over 50,000 students who registered during past expos are now active contributors to the NSSF, with contributions totaling UGX 35 billion. “This is a reflection of the success we set out to achieve when we first launched the Career Expo, promoting a culture of saving among the young generation,” Ayota said, “students who start saving early tend to maintain financial discipline throughout their careers.”
A recent Finscope survey revealed a 6% increase in the number of Ugandans saving both formally and informally, rising from 54% in 2018 to 60% in 2023. This growth signals a positive shift towards financial security, partly attributed to awareness initiatives like the NSSF Career Expo.
This year’s expo, themed “Financial Literacy: Smart Money Moves,” is focused on empowering students to make informed financial decisions, manage debt, and build a secure financial future. Its to spread across ten universities, including Makerere University, Kampala International University, Gulu University, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Kyambogo University, and Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara.
Meanwhile, Absa Bank Uganda’s Interim Managing Director, David Wandera, underscored the importance of financial empowerment for young people in an economy grappling with high unemployment rates. “I’m passionate about helping young people secure their financial future. At Absa, our strategic focus is to be an active force for good. Through initiatives like the Absa ReadytoWork programs and partnerships with NSSF, we continue to provide essential soft skills often overlooked in formal education,” Wandera said.
Vincent Kisenyi, UCU dean of the school of business, emphasized the need to prepare students to take care o their person finances, for a responsible future. “we need to prepare students for their today and tomorrow,” he noted, “but we know we can’t do everything as a university but rather through partnering and collaborating with other institutions.”
He adds that career guidance today is a crucial talk, considering the changes in the employment landscape. The university is deliberate and intentional to work with other organizational experts that can share experiences with our students.”
Beyond financial literacy, the initiative aims to equip students with practical skills for employability and entrepreneurial success, by fostering partnerships and promoting early financial planning, helping create a workforce that is not only job-ready but financially resilient.
Samantha Akankunda, the UCU Guild president, on behalf of the students’ fraternity, to expressed gratitude for the expo describing it as “tremendous and phenomenal,” she said, We have really walked away with a lot, and we aren’t going to leave here the same way that we came.”
Akankunda says she understood the need of seizing opportunities as fast as possible adding that the saving culture, has also been simplified to her. “ we all have a certain amount of money, I may not be able to save a somebody who has a job, but I now know that I can save off my pocket money,” she noted “the bible also says we should not despise the days of small beginnings.”
The other key feature of the expo is networking and mentorship, where students engage with professionals who provide guidance on career planning, entrepreneurship, and job readiness. These connections often lead to internships and job placements, bridging the gap between education and employment. Industry leaders also inspire students to explore innovative career paths.
Given Uganda’s high unemployment rate, the expo also emphasizes entrepreneurship, offering insights into business management, securing funding, and leveraging financial resources for sustainable enterprises, thereby fostering job creation-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
