Youth Unemployment Emerges as Decisive Election Issue

Kampala , Uganda

Youth unemployment has taken center stage in Uganda’s election campaign, with political parties offering sharply different solutions to one of the country’s most pressing challenges.

With more than 75 percent of Uganda’s population under the age of 30, job creation has become a defining issue. Government officials highlight vocational training programs, entrepreneurship funding, and infrastructure projects as pathways to employment.

Opposition leaders argue that corruption, limited industrialization, and policy inconsistency have stifled job growth, forcing many young people into informal or precarious work.

Labor analysts say meaningful progress will require large-scale industrial expansion, skills alignment with market needs, and private-sector growth.

Why It Matters

Youth unemployment shapes voting behavior, social stability, and Uganda’s long-term economic prospects.

What to Watch

Detailed employment plans from candidates

Youth voter registration and turnout

Private-sector job creation commitments