Renowned Ugandan media personality Douglas Lwanga has shared his concerns about the challenges many young Ugandans face as they transition from education into the workforce, arguing that the country’s current system often delays financial independence.
Speaking on Bigenda Bitya, which airs on Sanyuka TV, Lwanga outlined what he described as the lengthy journey from the classroom to meaningful employment.
According to him, many young people spend more than two decades pursuing education and searching for work before earning a stable income, leaving them with limited time to build wealth during their most productive years.
His remarks have added to ongoing conversations about education, employment, and economic opportunities for Uganda’s youth.
A long road from school to employment
Lwanga explained that the average student spends approximately 17 years completing primary and secondary education before enrolling at university for another three or four years.
He added that graduating does not necessarily mark the beginning of a career, as many graduates spend several more years looking for employment.
“You spend about 17 years in primary and secondary and three or four years at university, and then you start looking for a job, which will likely take you another few years in Uganda. That’s 24 years altogether.”
According to Lwanga, by the time many graduates secure their first job, they are often around 28 years old.
He questioned whether entry-level salaries are sufficient to help young professionals achieve major financial goals within a reasonable period.
The challenge of building wealth
Using home ownership as an example, Lwanga argued that earning a first salary is only the beginning of an even longer financial journey.
He suggested that even if a young professional secures steady employment, it could still take several more years to save enough money to purchase a home.
“At that age, do you think they are going to pay you a salary that can build you a house? Let’s imagine you need five years to buy your first house.”
He continued by reflecting on how long the process can take for many Ugandans.
“You’ll find yourself at 35 or 36 with the true realization of life and reaping, and that’s if God blesses you, and those are the fewest.”
His comments highlighted what he sees as a broader challenge facing young people trying to achieve financial stability.
Calling for practical education reforms
Beyond discussing employment, Lwanga also turned his attention to Uganda’s education system.
He argued that students spend too many years studying subjects that may have little practical application in their future careers.
Instead, he called for reforms that place greater emphasis on practical skills, entrepreneurship, and career readiness from an earlier stage.
According to Lwanga, equipping learners with marketable skills before they leave school would better prepare them for both employment and self-employment.
Douglas Lwanga has frequently spoken about issues affecting Uganda’s youth, including financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.
His latest comments build on earlier observations that mentorship, practical training, and business education are essential if young people are to make the most of available opportunities.
The discussion also reflects wider national conversations about improving education outcomes and addressing graduate unemployment.
Why It Matters
Youth unemployment and the transition from education to employment remain important topics in Uganda.
Lwanga’s remarks have resonated because they touch on concerns shared by many graduates who spend years searching for work before establishing financial stability.
His call for a more skills-based education system contributes to the broader debate about preparing young people for today’s job market.
Behind the statistics are thousands of young Ugandans working to turn years of education into meaningful careers.
Lwanga’s message highlights the pressures many graduates face as they balance career ambitions, financial responsibilities, and long-term goals such as home ownership and entrepreneurship.
While acknowledging the value of education, Douglas Lwanga believes Uganda’s system should do more to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. His message is clear: practical skills and earlier career readiness could help more young people build stable futures sooner.