Skill development vital for graduates in AI-driven economy, Makerere students told

KAMPALA, Uganda — Students and recent graduates must prioritize skill development and adapt to an artificial intelligence-driven economy to remain competitive in the modern labor market, speakers said during the Makerere Career Expo 2026.

Israel Arinaitwe, Stanbic Bank head of personal banking, told attendees on March 13 that while academic qualifications are essential, students must actively exploit empowerment initiatives to sharpen their practical skills before leaving the university.

We believe the expo allows students to better understand these realities and prepare themselves for meaningful careers, Arinaitwe said. He noted that over 25,000 students graduate annually in Uganda into a world of work that evolves every day due to technological advancement.

The three-day event at Makerere University focused on the intersection of human potential and digital transformation. Fred Percy Kisa, who manages digital transformation at NSSF, addressed concerns about automation by emphasizing that AI should be viewed as a partner in productivity.

It is not machine versus human, Kisa said. It is human plus machine versus human. The issue is we cannot compete with machines in terms of how much they can calculate, but we can use AI to improve our productivity.

To support this transition, Arinaitwe said Stanbic Bank has established partnerships to provide internship opportunities and specialized training through the Stanbic Business Incubator. The incubator is designed to provide on-site experience, helping young entrepreneurs commercialize business ideas that the bank is ready to finance.

The expo, themed Connecting Potential to Purpose: Partnerships for Sustainable Impact, featured more than 50 employers and industry experts. Paul Rumanda, head of human resources at the Infectious Diseases Institute, said that in the modern economy, employers hire for alignment to an organization’s mission rather than just technical ability.

Purpose is about the problem that you are uniquely qualified to solve, Rumanda said.

Supported by partners such as the MasterCard Foundation and NSSF, the nationwide outreach initiative will continue across 14 universities and tertiary institutions through April 21.