Uganda’s telecommunication-led technology boom is reshaping opportunities for the country’s young population, even as structural unemployment continues to hold back formal job creation.
The 2024 census revealed that unemployment among Ugandans aged 18–30 stands at 16.1%, more than five times the national rate of 2.9%.
Women remain disproportionately affected, mirroring trends seen across East Africa where gender gaps persist in formal labour markets.
Against this backdrop, the rise of digital tools ranging from ride-hailing apps to e-commerce platforms is enabling young Ugandans to carve out livelihoods in the informal sector.
Michael Mpunge, President of the Uganda Young Democrats, says technology is becoming the youth’s “economic lifeline.”
He cites boda-boda riders using smartphones to match with customers, farmers accessing weather forecasts via mobile apps, and creatives monetizing talent through platforms like TikTok.
“These are not just survival tactics. They are engines of grassroots economic growth,” he said.
While formal sector job creation remains sluggish, youth-led digital innovation is helping to offset the shortfall.
Similar dynamics are playing out in Kenya’s gig economy and Tanzania’s online marketplaces, suggesting a regional shift toward technology-enabled self-employment.
Mpunge’s remarks resonates with International Youth Day, themed “Youth Advocating Social-Economic Transformation Through Technology and Partnerships.”
He lauded Uganda’s young people for their resilience, from young mothers running small businesses to activists challenging entrenched systems and emphasized collective action beyond electoral participation.
“I see young people who wake up early, not because opportunities are abundant, but because their hope refuses to die,” Mpunge said.
He called on youth to engage in community decision-making, promote peace, and demand accountability from leaders arguing that transformation will only come when young people move from the margins to the center of decision-making.
With over 75% of Uganda’s population under 35, youth employment is not only a social priority but also an economic imperative.
The African Development Bank has repeatedly warned that East Africa’s demographic dividend will be squandered without parallel investment in skills development and digital infrastructure.
Uganda has made strides in internet penetration rising from 29% in 2021 to over 42% in 2024 but rural connectivity and affordable data remain barriers. Without closing these gaps, the benefits of the technology boom could deepen existing inequalities.
This year’s National Youth Day celebrations, initially set for Masindi District, were postponed indefinitely by the government.
