JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO MUK GRADUANDS:  

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WELL DESERVED SUCCESS. 

MY MESSAGE TO MAKERERE UNIVERSITY GRADUANDS FROM MWALIMU ARIGUMAHO JOHNPAUL

With immense pride and love I congratulate all Makerere University Graduands for reaching this milestone. Am so happy to share the excitement of your graduation day, and so very proud of you too. This is a huge step forward of your future, and I can’t wait to see you progress. I wish I could be with you but I hope you know am thinking about you and busy with work schedules. I have confidence that with continued hard work, you will be able to change the communities we are living in as we go the way, know the way and show the way.  Congratulations to your graduation and best wishes to your next adventure.

I take this chance to thank all the parents and caretakers for doing a great and charitable work to our dear graduands.

I tremendously thank the administration and leadership of the university led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for lifting the greater heights of Makerere University.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT AFTER GRADUATION? (money)

Usually, the general wish for every graduate is to get a graduate job, become self-employed and pursue a post graduate.  

I previously graduated with a masters degree in Swahili (FCH) from ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY IN UGANDA, I have an experience to share with you.

Given the increasing private and public cost of university education, households and nations are getting more interested in that type of education which has high potential for employment, I KEEP WITH UNANSWERED QUESITIONS?

Does the expansion of the university sector (GRADUATES) in Uganda look relevant to graduates’ employability?

Does expansion of the university sector (GRADUATES) in Uganda look relevant to available options of employment for graduates?

Is the expansion of the university sector (GRADUATES) in Uganda relevant to adequacy of skills which graduates need in the world of work?

The human capital theory suggests that, “education leads to the acquisition of productive skills, knowledge and other attributes which are of economics value not only to individuals who get high life time earnings, but also to nations which benefit in terms of growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”.

Therefore, university education should equip graduates with productive skills which should increase graduates’ prospects for employment and earning and they should be able to make a measurable economic contribution to national wealth. The basic isn’t just mocking young graduates not to become job seekers but job creaters! From where?? Has the institution equipped a graduate with those skills of job creation? Is the education system in Uganda relevant to the employability?  Does it look relevant in the life of graduates?

The expansion of the University Sector in Uganda is characterized by the increase in the demand and supply of university education.

This increase in the demand and supply of university education is indicated by the rise in the number of students looking for university places. For instance, statistics from the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda indicate that total enrolment in Universities increased from 57,114 in 2002 to 345,000 in 2016 (MoES, 2018). On the other hand there is an increase in the number of public universities from 3 in 2002 to 9 in 2019. As of now they are about 11public universities in Uganda today and private universities are currently about 43 (NCHE, 2018).

However, there is concern that growth in university provision in Uganda has not been efficient at producing graduates who are relevant to the Ugandan labour market. This increase of graduate rates has contributed more worse to young people who move out there to look for jobs but the country they are in doesn’t allow-the slogan is whom do you know?

MY ADVICE.

With graduation quickly approaching, the thought of joining the adult world can be scary for graduating people like you. Whether you are going straight into a full time job, taking a gap year, completing an internship or unsure of what you want to be doing yet, graduation can come with some stress along with an immense amount of joy. 

By well knowing then Uganda you are living in Today, I advise you to;

Never stop learning

While school years may end, there are always more opportunities to grow and learn. Approach the future with an open mind and be willing to learn from those you encounter. Whether it is your boss, a co-worker, or mentor, always be open to learning from others. My mentor was and is Dr Asiimwe Caroline who was my lecturer linguistics at Bishop Stuart University -Kakoba but now is currently the Executive Secretary East African Kiswahili Commission.

Remember everyone’s path is different

There is no wrong way to start your adult life. While some graduates may score full-time jobs in far off places maybe through who they know or by luck, it is okay to take a post-graduate internship, work odd jobs or even take some time off before finding a job in your field. Everyone’s journey is different and no one has the same destination in the end. Don’t fall a failure because Johnpaul is not successful, pursue your own. Make small businesses and ovcourse people will despise you that a full graduate, let it be.

Invest in your relationships

After leaving MUK, friendships and relationships will change. Everyone is going their separate ways, and not living right next door anymore.  Maintaining these relationships will take more work, and it is important to remember to catch up with friends and make time for them as your lives take different routes. Plan for developmental talks not destructive and social media shouters.

Make yourself a top priority

The future is in your hands. Moving forward, you control your destiny and you will have to have your own back. Make sure to do what it best for yourself, and not anyone else. During a public lecture of 2021 at Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara, prof Mugisha who was the guest speaker said, “ make yourself  a person you want to be, don’t quash stones but rather build a cathedral” do the needful needful.

Take time to stop, look around and take it all in.

On 6th December during the public lecture of BSU ahead of graduation, one of my almnus Annah Atuhaire raised a concern that “In a context where what we have learnt don’t prepare us for the challenges we face, what are we supposed to do?” Her message was quite logical but informative, that, we are learning but as well not prepared to the challenges we are likely to face and how to solve them as I have mentioned in the previous segment. Let’s be prepared for everything and take a positive step in solving it.

Graduation is a special time, take a second to soak it all in. Feel the joy of accomplishing something amazing. But also accept the sadness that may come when embracing the future. Embrace any and all emotions that may come your way, and above all be proud of yourself because you will never relive a moment like this. There is a social media message that was trending, that graduate and later on you will know why we are working in mobile money kiosks, bars, making chapats, and selling things on streets. There for don’t be discouraged by some graduates who are failures, you can take your own.

I wish you good luck and nice graduation.

Johnpaul Arigumaho. Almnus 2016-2019.

Teacher of Kiswahili language. Kila la kheri. arigumaho810@gmail.com.