Youth unemployment rises in Uganda, UBOS report reveals

16 April 2026, 10:08 pm

By Annet Nakato

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has raised concern over the increasing number of unemployed youth in the country, highlighting a growing challenge for Uganda’s labour market.

While releasing a new labour report, UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Ndatira Mukiza revealed that youth unemployment remains significantly high.

According to the findings, young people aged between 15 and 24 account for 18 percent of every 100 job seekers, indicating a widening gap between education and employment opportunities.

UBOS Deputy Executive Director Dr. Vicente Fred Ssenono explained that the data was collected through extensive labour force surveys, which uncovered a persistent lack of job opportunities among young people.

He noted that many youths are engaged in low-paying, unstable jobs that do not adequately meet their daily needs.

Dr. Ssenono further pointed out that the situation is particularly severe in the Karamoja subregion, where unemployment and poverty among young people remain deeply entrenched.

In response, State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi acknowledged that many Ugandans are employed in jobs that generate little or no meaningful income.

He said the government is prioritising industrial development as a key strategy to tackle unemployment, especially among the youth.

Lugoloobi emphasised that increased investment in industries is expected to create more job opportunities and improve livelihoods, positioning youth employment as a central focus in Uganda’s economic development agenda.