Shortly after his official nomination for the 2026 presidential elections, President Yoweri Museveni addressed Ugandan youth, warning them against seeking employment abroad, particularly in the Middle East.
Speaking at a rally, he criticized those who leave Uganda in search of wealth, often at great personal risk, and urged young people to explore opportunities within the country instead.
“Migrating for jobs abroad may seem attractive, but many Ugandans face exploitation and abuse once they leave,” Museveni said. “Uganda has untapped potential in sectors like commercial agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and services. Our country can provide sustainable employment and prosperity if the youth focus their energy here.”
Uganda faces a significant youth unemployment challenge. According to the 2024 Census, over 10 million young Ugandans aged 18 to 30—more than half the population—are unemployed, prompting many to seek work abroad.
Reports indicate that young men and women, particularly women, often fall prey to traffickers offering false promises of well-paying jobs.
Some have had their passports confiscated, forced into exploitative work, or subjected to dangerous conditions, including cases of abuse, injury, and even death.
Museveni emphasized that the allure of money abroad often masks hidden dangers and exploitation. He urged youth to focus on Uganda’s domestic opportunities and invest in sectors that can generate sustainable growth and improve livelihoods.
Analysts, however, caution that without significant reforms to address unemployment and create decent jobs, many young Ugandans may continue to risk their safety abroad in search of survival.
The upcoming 2026 elections will put the spotlight on how the next administration plans to tackle youth unemployment and retain the country’s human capital for national development.
