TACKLING GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT: A Smart Model on How Government Can Help University Graduates Create Jobs

In Uganda, there is a significant spiritual awakening fueled by the rise of Born-again Churches. However, as Pastor Tom Mugerwa of Mutundwe Christian Fellowship asserts that the end times are at hand, the landscape is also flooded with false prophet churches. In light of this, and in alignment with Psalm 127:1, which states that unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain, Global University Business Club Limited (GUBCCo) seeks to oil its mission with the Spirit of Knowledge.

The pursuit of divine wisdom is integral to human endeavors, and GUBCCo has embraced this calling in its mission to transform entrepreneurial education. In scripture, we are reminded of the importance of seeking God’s knowledge. Psalms 103:7 tells us that God revealed His ways to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel, underscoring the value of understanding God’s wisdom in guiding our actions. GUBCCo, founded to address Uganda’s severe graduate unemployment, seeks to extend this spiritual quest into practical, life-changing solutions through entrepreneurship, innovation, and empowerment.

GUBCCo’s mission is rooted in the pursuit of university knowledge utilization for profound advancement of communities and national development. The company was incorporated in 2021 as a public limited company, serving as a permanent living laboratory for GUBCCo founder’s doctoral research in entrepreneurship and innovation, driven by a vision to promote entrepreneurial universities globally—starting with Uganda, as in “Charity begins at home.”

Its unique approach, centered on hands-on learning and community integration, encourages students to develop business initiatives that address societal challenges.

GUBCCo’s innovation, a creative synthesis of MIT BootCamps, HarperCollins Publishing House, Yunus microfinance, and Amazon models, transforms students’ knowledge into tangible value. In contrast, Uganda’s predominantly cognitive university education hardly moves learners beyond Bloom’s taxonomy comprehension level, which is a recipe for the disheartening graduates’ unemployment in the Country.

The proof of GUBCCo’s concept, anchored in the synthesis of these innovations, aligns with Hosea 4:6 (NIV): “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” In Numbers 14:11 and John 8:32, we see the importance of seeking truth through God’s wisdom. As an educational and business entity, GUBCCo draws from this understanding to guide university learners and young graduates toward self-sufficiency.

Uganda’s unemployment rate among university graduates, staggering at over 87% according to the National Planning Authority’s 2020 report, makes graduates’ search for jobs elusive. GUBCCo’s Entrepreneurship Incubation programme, SACCO Scheme, and free e-Commerce portal addresses this gap by providing financing and marketing opportunities for marshalled student-led business initiatives.

Isaiah 5:13 speaks of the consequences of a lack of knowledge, and GUBCCo’s focus on practical entrepreneurial education addresses this deficit in Uganda’s higher education system. Traditionally, universities have concentrated on the cognitive domain, leaving graduates ill-equipped to navigate Uganda’s predominantly informal economy. GUBCCo’s strategy is different. It emphasizes the “affective” and “psychomotor” domains—teaching the heart and hands, in addition to the mind.

This approach not only equips students with knowledge but also empowers them to transform this knowledge into action. The spirit of knowledge, as described in Ephesians 1:17 and Isaiah 11:2, calls for a deeper understanding of the world and the challenges we face. In this light, GUBCCo is seeking at least UGX 500 million from the Government’s Operation Wealth Creation coffers as a professional investment to kick-start the capitalization of its SACCO Scheme—a portal designed to fund business initiatives developed by students and graduates.

This scheme, paired with a mentorship program, ensures that graduates not only survive but thrive in a competitive global economy, treating self-employment and entrepreneurship as an “opportunity” for higher earnings rather than a necessity, the survival mode that has seen graduates amass in boda boda riding. Daniel 11:32 and Philippians 3:8-10 remind us that those who know their God will do great exploits. Similarly, GUBCCo envisions creating entrepreneurial universities that are deeply embedded in their communities, transforming not only the lives of students but also the societies around universities.

The challenges are immense, but with God’s wisdom, GUBCCo will prevail, supported by its primary income streams: subscriptions from GUBCCo Digital Facility holders of Merchant accounts and interest from loan facilities provided to marshalled business initiatives financed through the GUBCCo SACCO Scheme. As expressed in Proverbs 24:5, knowledge is a source of strength. GUBCCo’s innovative model draws strength from the wisdom of God to break the cycle of unemployment and create sustainable development pathways. In this endeavor, GUBCCo seeks to embody the spirit of Jeremiah 24:5, acknowledging that God’s plans for the future are ones of prosperity and hope.

In conclusion, the call for knowledge, as echoed in scriptures, aligns with GUBCCo’s vision of equipping students with the tools they need to succeed, both spiritually and economically. With continued support and a focus on the divine wisdom that drives this mission, GUBCCo is poised to make a lasting impact on Uganda’s economy and beyond. You can also read about how Museveni government can save 500,000 desperate university graduates who have resorted to riding bodabodas Here.

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