Africa-Press – Uganda. Eleven young Ugandan entrepreneurs have received $30,000 (about Shs115 million) in seed funding under a United Nations-backed business incubation programme designed to address youth unemployment and irregular migration.
Each of the winners received up to Shs11.55 million to start or expand their enterprises.
The awards, handed out at a ceremony in Kampala, are part of the International Organisation for Migration’s (IOM) Youth Business Incubator (YBI) initiative, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Uganda faces one of Africa’s fastest-growing youth populations, with over 70% of citizens under 30. Each year, more than 700,000 young people enter the job market, competing for fewer than 240,000 available jobs.
“Unemployment in general is a catalyst to many other vices including increased crime rates and irregular migration. The IOM is striving hard to address this,” said Leonard Zulu, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda.
Zulu praised the initiative for targeting young people transitioning out of education. “Whereas there are many of these initiatives supporting youth, very few focus on youth who are about to graduate or recently graduated from tertiary institutions,” he said.
He urged both winners and applicants: “To the award winners, I encourage you to utilize the funds for their intended purpose. To those that did not win, do not lose hope, every stakeholder here is committed to supporting you to realise your dreams.”
“H.E the President has over and over again introduced initiatives to address this situation, but more needs to be done,” said Esther Davinia Anyakun, Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations.
She noted that only ten youth received awards, leaving others in need of support.
Anyakun challenged the winners: “Chance usually comes once. Use this opportunity well. Stick to the plan and work harder. It’s your time now.”
The Youth Business Incubator, launched in March 2024, equips young Ugandans—especially those from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions—with entrepreneurship skills as an alternative to precarious migration.
“Our work is driven by the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, whether they choose to pursue opportunities locally or abroad,” said IOM Uganda’s Chief of Mission, Sanusi Tejan Savage.
“We remain committed to promoting safe, orderly, and informed labour migration, and to addressing the root causes of irregular migration by investing in youth entrepreneurship, skills development, and economic resilience,” he added.
The programme received 1,039 applications across five districts: Mbale, Kyenjojo, Bushenyi, Wakiso, and Arua. After training and a rigorous selection process, 26 finalists pitched their ideas to a jury of banking, civil society, and private sector experts.
The final eleven were awarded cash grants to formalise their businesses, stock products, and begin operations. Disbursements will be made in two phases, coupled with continued mentorship.
“The entrepreneurs will also receive continued monitoring, mentoring, and coaching from the IOM team to ensure successful implementation,” said programme coordinator Lambert Buzaare.
The Youth Business Incubator is part of IOM’s Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) programme, spanning eight East African countries. The goal is to create alternatives to irregular migration by building opportunities at home.
“By equipping our youth with practical business skills, mentorship, and access to resources, we are addressing one of the root causes of irregular migration: the lack of sustainable economic opportunities at home,” Savage said.
Uganda’s youthful demographic, coupled with limited job creation, has left many vulnerable to unsafe migration routes. Irregular migrants often face exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and human rights abuses abroad.
Speakers at the ceremony expressed optimism that targeted initiatives could reduce these risks. “Let’s support them together,” said Zulu.
As Anyakun concluded: “If all the awarded youth can employ at least three people, that’s 30 extra young people gaining a livelihood. Let’s think about it.”
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