The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna, has challenged university graduates to embrace vocational and skills training opportunities as a way of creating their own jobs instead of relying on government for white-collar employment.
Tanna made the remarks on August 20, 2026, while officiating at the 15th graduation ceremony of Cavendish University Uganda held at the Munyonyo Convention Centre in Kampala, where more than 1,050 students were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates in various professional fields. The minister said the government had established several presidential skilling initiatives targeting young people as part of efforts to equip graduates with practical skills and address youth unemployment.
He encouraged the graduates to take advantage of such programmes and develop skills that can enable them to become job creators rather than job seekers. Tanna congratulated the university leadership, graduates and the entire student fraternity for reaching the milestone and urged the graduates to conduct themselves responsibly as they transition into the world of work.
The university Chancellor and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, told the graduates that the world of work presents numerous challenges and urged them to remain focused and committed to their goals.
Jonathan encouraged the graduates to uphold honesty, trustworthiness and discipline while respecting their colleagues and superiors in their respective workplaces. Flanked by the university Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olive Sabiiti, Jonathan also congratulated the university community for its achievements and encouraged prospective students to consider enrolling at the institution, saying it has qualified tutors with the professional expertise needed to guide students towards excellence.
Several university leaders also delivered messages of hope and encouragement to the graduating students and prospective students, including those being offered opportunities to join the university under a 50 percent bursary programme. Parents and guardians expressed appreciation to the university management for equipping their sons and daughters with professional skills and preparing them to contribute to society and serve humanity.
