Uganda overview
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 78% of the population below the age of 35. Each year as estimated 400,000 to 600,000 Ugandans enter the job market to compete for 80,000 jobs.
Young Ugandans are highly likely to be underemployed, in precarious and non-rewarding work, or in jobs that cannot offer decent incomes. 84% of the Ugandan population aged between 15-29 work in informal jobs, and that figure is 10% higher for young women.
Young people in Uganda especially young women, grapple with challenges that impede their growth and development. 14% of rural children drop out of school and in secondary school these rates increase dramatically for girls, with as many as 30% leaving school, which ultimately bars their entry to mainstream vocational education.
With few economic choices and little independence, they are at risk of early marriage, unwanted pregnancies and transactional sex, with the danger of STIs, drug and substance abuse, and mental health issues. The current teenage pregnancy rate in Uganda is 25%.
How we are helping
Our longstanding programme in Uganda is currently focussed in Nakifuma County and aims to address the significant socio-economic challenges young people face in finding meaningful employment. With a heavy reliance on low-income agriculture in the county, it is difficult to secure stable employment or start successful enterprises.
Through our Vocational Training, Business Development and Transition to Work projects, we are supporting young people to gain the skills they need to enter the competitive formal job market or establish their own businesses to earn a livelihood.
Our partners
TA Crusade
Twekembe Association Centre for Rural Systems and Development (TA Crusade) is a registered non-governmental organisation operating in Nakifuma county, approximately 30km from the capital city Kampala. Their team focuses on actions that directly improve the lives of vulnerable and marginalised communities in rural areas and invest in empowerment programmes that contribute towards poverty reduction. Their training centre welcomes young people who cannot access the formal education system, providing accredited training to enable them to move into work.
