Evaluation of Public Policy Solutions for Graduate Unemployment in Uganda: A Case Study of Uganda
Loading...
Date
2023-09-26
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uganda Christian University
Abstract
Unemployment rates and the unemployment situation in Uganda has continuously been an area of concern as an economic indicator that has not reflected growth along with the economic growth rates Uganda has been experiencing in the recent past. Moreover, what is counter-intuitive is the fact that unemployment rate for Uganda’s post-secondary graduates is reportedly as high as 80 percent, which is one of the highest globally. This raises questions with as to what policy interventions have been done to avert the problem, and reasons as to why despite being educated, Ugandans continue to grapple with high rates of unemployment and under employment.
The purpose of this study was therefore to identify and evaluate policies and solutions that have been implemented with the aim of reducing graduate unemployment in Uganda and recommend methods that can be used to enhance these policies to better address the problem.
In order to carry out the policy evaluation, two sample policies were identified along with reports on their objectives their purpose and their achievements in quantitative and qualitative forms. Generalized criteria was assembled with the aim to impartially assess the ability of the two policies to address graduate unemployment and the extent to which they were successful at doing so.
The two policies namely the Youth Livelihood Programme and The Uganda Skills Development Programme were evaluated against the criteria on the basis of the certified publications reports and statistics regarding the two policies. It was concluded that overall, the policies may have been somewhat successful at achieving their specific objectives but were not as impactful at reducing graduate unemployment rates in Uganda; the effects have not yet been felt at a larger scale. Therefore, as a policy recommendation, both the policies in their second phases need to be more oriented with skill development, to address the skill mismatch that leads to graduate unemployment. Lastly, the Uganda Skills Development Programme needs to be extended to more tertiary institutions to have a greater impact on the labor force and increase the chances of reducing graduate unemployment in Uganda.
Description
This is a dissertation.