#OutToLunch: Opportunities for young people in the forthcoming political season

By Denis Jjuuko

Just like that, we are in 2025. It was just the other day when politicians were all over the place, crisscrossing our beautiful country telling stories and endearing themselves to the voters. The season for political stories is here again. With general elections set for early 2026, those vying for various offices are already making alliances, breaking off some and ensuring they are in our faces.

It is plausible that politics is one of the most paying jobs in Uganda and there are many positions to vie for. From parish level to the presidency. In between, the most clamored is the position of Member of Parliament followed by that of District Chairperson (LCV).

Thousands of people will campaign for these positions. Because the monetary reward is allegedly huge, many candidates will not leave any stones unturned. They will spend the money leaving some on the verge of bankruptcy but for purposes of this article, that should not be ‘our’ problem.

As a young person, perhaps without the resources to compete for political office, how do you benefit from this political season that comes once every five years? By positioning yourself for some of the opportunities that come with political campaigns. So let us look at some of the areas where young people could make some money from politicians.

Graphic design – Every candidate will have to create a master artwork of their campaign. In Uganda, this largely means a portrait of a candidate with a few words like unity, peace, prosperity, development and all those things politicians say but don’t mean. You don’t need to be a super talented designer here. Just download Canva and start designing. The paid version will do wonders for you. It costs less than 400,000 a year. But the money is in printing. You could even offer to design for free as long as they give you the contract to print the posters, calendars, flyers etc. they will be displaying in every little trading centre.

For those who have mega resources, you could also print for them the cheapest of t-shirts with the thinnest microns in their party colors.

Photography – As faster affordable internet spreads across the country, many people have smartphones and are able to consume content online even in some of the remotest villages. Crowds at campaigns help sway public opinion about a candidate. But crowds at campaign rallies are only important for a politician if they are captured on camera. Photographs and videos are going to be important. You will need a drone camera to capture this content so it can feed the candidate’s social media channels.

Social media manager/influencing – Many political candidates are old school and social media disturbs them. You can manage the social media channels of the candidates, curating content and manage the accounts. TikTok which may not have played a key role in 2021 is going to be critical in 2026. So, ability to create compelling videos will be necessary (learn how to use KineMaster, CapCut etc.). Candidates will want to be on TikTok alongside other platforms particularly X and Facebook especially for those in urban constituencies and at the national level. WhatsApp will be another one. Learn what you can do with it for your client.

Sound system – Music plays a key role in political campaigns. Many times, political candidates have moved with musicians who work up the crowd before they appear. Some like President Museveni even did some rap song an election or two ago. You don’t necessarily have to be a musician to tap into this. You can own the sound system that the politicians are willing to hire from you. You could also be the link between musicians, dancers and all those people that entertain crowds at the rallies.

Communication strategist – Some candidates especially in urban big constituencies and at the national level will need experts in communications to help them put their messages across, schedule media interviews and support the communication aspects of their campaigns. Many candidates especially those joining politics for the first time and not used to media interviews, coaching and preps will be required so that they don’t simply go and mess themselves up. The communication strategist will work hand in hand with the digital and social media team mentioned already.

Research assistant – Those vying for the presidency will require some researchers on their team even though it is an important role for other candidates too. For example, a researcher would inform the campaign strategy team on the messaging in particular areas and finding information that empowers the candidate. They could manage polling to assess the candidate’s messaging, popularity and help the campaign make informed decisions.

Lastly and most importantly, many politicians are known not to honor their word. Make sure you get some advance payment for the work being done. Wishing you a happy 2025.

The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

Tags: Communication strategist, Denis Jjuuko, District Chairperson (LCV), Government of Uganda ., Graphic design, Out to Lunch, Photography, politicians, Prime Time Communications, Research assistan, Social media manager/influencing, Sound system

Education

From Smartphones to Sustainable Livelihoods: Manafwa Youth Power a New Digital Future

By Sandra Nakafeero A fresh sense of purpose swept through the Manafwa District Hall as more than 100 young people gathered for the close of an intensive digital skilling programme. Phones in hand and ideas taking shape, the participants demonstrated how simple digital tools are reshaping the way young people learn, create, and earn. During the hands-on sessions, trainees explored practical skills ranging from graphic design and social media branding to virtual collaboration. Using Canva and other mobile-friendly applications, the youths learned how to develop marketing visuals, select effective colour schemes and fonts, and package messages for online audiences. For many, these skills marked their first step toward turning creativity into income. Abikala Munyanda stood out among the cohort, emerging as the overall best performer. Like many of his peers, he described the training as a confidence booster that transformed digital platforms from sources of entertainment into tools for enterprise. The training was further energized by guest facilitator and content creator Dr. Solomon Kimera, whose journey resonated strongly with the participants. A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Kimera shared how he built a massive digital following by starting small and staying consistent. “I didn’t begin with expensive equipment or a studio,” he told the youth. “I started with an ordinary smartphone and the courage to put myself out there. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you may never begin.” Today, Dr. Kimera commands an online audience of nearly 2.5 million followers on TikTok, with content that blends education and entertainment. His story underscored a key lesson of the training: innovation is less about resources and more about mindset. Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony, the Chief Administrative Officer of Manafwa District, Mr. Ssenku Kimuli Samuel, urged the youth to translate their new skills into meaningful livelihoods. “This training has equipped you with skills that are relevant to today’s economy,” Mr. Ssenku said. “You already have powerful tools in your hands, your smartphones. Use them responsibly to create value, to earn honestly, and to contribute to the development of Manafwa. The future of this district depends on how well you apply what you have learned.” He emphasized that digital skilling is no longer optional but essential for young people seeking employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in national development. The Resident District Commissioner, Hon. Saleh Kamba, commended the trainees for their commitment and encouraged them to remain innovative and disciplined as they venture into the digital space. He noted that digital literacy offers young people an opportunity to improve their livelihoods using resources they already possess. The initiative was implemented by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), in partnership with Prime Time Communications. The programme targets youths in five eastern Uganda districts—Kumi, Kapchorwa, Manafwa, Butaleja, and Kamuli—with more than 500 young people benefiting in the current rollout. Overall, nearly 1,400 youths across 13 districts in central and eastern Uganda are being equipped with practical ICT and multimedia skills. In the first quarter of 2026, the programme will extend to Butaleja and Kamuli districts, enrolling an additional 200 youths. At the conclusion of the training, three participants were recognized for outstanding performance: Abikala Munyanda as Overall Winner, Leah Edith Namono as First Runner-Up, and Derrick Kalibo as Second Runner-Up. As the youths of Manafwa step forward with newly acquired digital competencies, they carry more than certificates—they carry the potential to create jobs, grow incomes, and transform their communities. One design, one post at a time, a new digital chapter is unfolding in Manafwa District.

December 15, 2025

Digitalization

From a simple smartphone to nearly 2.5m followers: Dr. Solomon Kimera inspires Kapchorwa youths to start now

By Gloria Kembabazi Digital skilling is opening new opportunities for young people who dream of building careers in content creation. In today’s digital world, many youths aspire to make a living online, yet procrastination and self-doubt often hold them back. Many wait for the perfect equipment, ideal timing, or enough money before they begin delays that keep their dreams on pause. It is under this background that Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) working with Prime Time Communications is implementing a program to skill youth groups in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and multimedia in five districts in eastern Uganda. The districts are Kumi, Kapchorwa, Manafwa, Butaleja and Kamuli. The training will see more than 500 youths acquire digital skills that are critical in enabling them to find or create meaningful work. Through the partnership between UCC and Prime Time Communications, more than 1,200 youths have so far been trained in central and eastern Uganda. When the digital skills training program kicked off at the Kapachrowa Community Hall in Kisenyi Sub-County within Kapchorwa Municipality, Kapchorwa District, the atmosphere was filled with inspiration as a famous TikToker and content creator Dr. Solomon Kimera took to the stage. Dr. Kimera, widely recognized for his engaging and educational TikTok videos, has built a strong online community by blending entertainment with knowledge. His relatable delivery and ability to simplify complex topics have earned him admiration from thousands of young people across the country. Addressing the youth, Dr. Kimera shared the authentic story of his journey. Although he is a medical doctor with a professional background in clinical practice, his rise in the digital world did not begin with expensive tools or a perfect setup. Instead, it began with confidence and creativity. “I started with the most basic equipment; an inexpensive smartphone. I was my own camera operator,” he revealed. “If I had waited to earn enough from my medical career to buy a better phone, I wouldn’t have the following I have today. I might never have existed as a content creator. You must start now!” His message resonated deeply with the young audience. Today, Dr. Kimera has nearly 2.5 million followers on TikTok, with his videos attracting millions of views and likes. His success is proof that passion and consistency can open doors, even when resources are limited. Through the UCC digital skills training, the youths in Kapchorwa are being empowered with practical skills to create content, build online brands, and tap into the growing digital economy. Dr. Kimera’s story served as a powerful reminder that success begins with the courage to start using whatever is available. His final encouragement to the youth was simple but profound: “Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with what you have. Your journey begins today.” One participant, Siya Deo, described the engagement and training as “an eye-opening.” Previously, he viewed his smartphone as a tool for basic tasks. “Now I know I can use my phone to do video content creation,” he shared.

December 4, 2025

Out to Lunch

#OutToLunch: Rampant unemployment is a key national security issue

By Denis Jjuuko The public service ministry recently announced that more than 40,000 people applied for 287 jobs across different government ministries, departments and agencies. More than 28,000 of those who applied qualified, meaning they were selected for aptitude tests which were to be held at the Mandela National Stadium at Namboole. It must be frustrating looking for job in Uganda. The news came after a bombshell report emanating from research by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) that indicated that Ugandans pay a whopping Shs42.34b annually to district service boards to get jobs. Averagely, the report indicated, 130,000 people pay bribes to land jobs. The people who ask for these bribes know that the jobs are scarce and people are desperate and willing to do anything to land the jobs. When somebody who bribed their way to a job gets employed, it means a few things. First, the person is not the best for the job. They just had the money to pay a recruiter. The best candidate may not have had the money and therefore wasn’t considered. Because the person knows they only got the job through bribery, they will continue bribing their way into senior positions. That is how we end up with incompetent people in positions of authority. People who can’t execute anything and making sure things don’t work or looking at everyone who is competent as a threat or what people call work politics. The people who are competent end up doing very little at work so that the incompetent boss doesn’t feel insecure and threatened. That is how we end with yes people—they won’t advise their bosses. They will do whatever the boss wants whether it makes sense or not. Remember, there are no jobs and these people have families to feed. Rocking the boat isn’t something that they want to do. Second, the people who bribed their way to jobs will only hire those who pay them a bribe. That way you end up with a corrupt layer at every level and an incompetent lot everywhere. Service delivery is impacted. Government then fails to create jobs that young people can apply for and get on merit. Third, because the public service is corrupted, the private sector suffers too. People can’t start and run businesses professionally. The people who are in positions because they paid a recruiter will endlessly try to get a return on their investment (read bribe). Procurement processes will be compromised. Payment for services and goods delivered will be frustrated unless somebody is paid. The bribery doesn’t end at public service. We recently saw many statements from politicians who lost elections for positions in their political parties claiming their rivals won through bribery. Some wondered why people were bribing for positions that were actually “voluntary.” We hear that candidates for Members of Parliament in some constituencies spend more money than they would get in the five years they would spend in the office should they win. If somebody spends more money than they would be officially paid, it means they are doing so to illegally get something. Somebody who sells their house to get money for election will do anything to get their house back. That is how we end up without jobs and seeing young energetic people leaving the country for the Middle East not to do highly technical jobs but menial ones or being trafficked for sex like we recently heard from a BBC investigation. Government has been saying that they are intending to grow the economy to US$500 billion annually. Great stuff but with rampant corruption, it will be a tall order. There is a need to nip corruption in the bud in order to create sustainable jobs for the working age population. Otherwise, we shall continue to see thousands of people filling up soccer stadiums to apply for a few jobs they know they stand no chance of getting. That is what they call desperation. And desperate people can do pretty much anything. Unemployment ends up being a key national security issue that the government must urgently address. The public have a chance to play a key role here by voting people in 2026 not because they bribed them with a t-shirts or some cheap alcohol but those who can address the challenges they face such as unemployment. The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

October 13, 2025