Learn how the Eastern Career Fair in Mbale empowered over 1,500 youth with jobs, green-tech skills and inclusive opportunities through BrighterMonday & Mastercard Foundation.”
Table of Contents
How did the Eastern Career Fair Mbale empower youth in Eastern Uganda?
In October 2025, the annual event held by BrighterMonday Uganda in partnership with Mastercard Foundation delivered a clear answer: by engaging over 1,500 youth across students, job-seekers and employers, the fair offered career clinics, green-job insights, tech demos and inclusive access for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In short: the fair connected, guided and matched youth with tangible opportunities.
What happened at the “Bridging Dreams and Opportunities” fair in Mbale?
Here’s a breakdown of the two-day programme at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Mbale campus on 17-18 October 2025:
- Day 1: The launch featured a high-level panel on “Youth, Work and the Future of Industry in Eastern Uganda” involving speakers such as Dr Serwanga Jamil (Vice Rector, IUIU) and Watsemwa Lilian (Principal Human Resource Officer, Ministry of Public Service).
- Career Clinics were held: CV writing, interview mastery, digital job-tools, plus a dedicated clinic for PWDs. One standout was the live demo of BrighterMonday’s AI Career Tool offering guidance on CVs, interview prep and salary negotiation.
- Day 2: Sessions deepened around inclusive employment, green jobs, tech & digital economy, entrepreneurship and manufacturing. A dedicated Inclusive Employment Panel focused on young women and PWDs with Ramps, interpreters and quiet-zones ensuring accessibility.
- The event closed with a Talent Showcase and Career Pitch Challenge, leading to on-the-spot interviews and job-matches for participants.
- Attendance: Over 1,500 youth from Eastern Uganda participated.
Why is this fair important for youth employment in Uganda?
The importance of the fair stems from the local context:
- According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics and partner research, about 43 % of youth are self-employed as own-account workers, and 39 % of youth (especially young women) lack employment, education or training.
- The Mastercard Foundation’s “Young Africa Works” strategy targets enabling 4.3 million young Ugandans (ages 18-35) to access dignified work by 2030.
- By focusing on green jobs, digital economy skills, entrepreneurship and inclusive access (women, PWDs), the fair aligns with high-growth sectors and addresses systemic barriers.
Thus, this event is not just a job-fair, it is a strategic intervention into the youth-employment ecosystem in Eastern Uganda.
How can youth leverage the opportunities from this fair?
Here are actionable takeaways for youth who either attended or missed the event:
- Update your CV and LinkedIn/profile based on the inputs from the CV-writing clinic.
- Test the AI Career Tool demo as introduced by BrighterMonday to refine your interview preparation and salary-negotiation skills.
- Explore entry-points in green jobs (e.g., sustainable manufacturing, renewable energy), tech/digital economy roles, and entrepreneurship.
- For PWDs or young women: look into the inclusive-employment resources & networks highlighted at the fair (ramps, interpreters, dedicated zones) to ensure you’re accessing the supportive channels.
- Stay engaged: sign up for upcoming regional fairs and career clinics from BrighterMonday Uganda to keep the momentum going.
TL;DR
The Eastern Career Fair in Mbale (17-18 Oct 2025), organised by BrighterMonday Uganda and the Mastercard Foundation, empowered over 1,500 youth through sessions on inclusive employment, green jobs, digital economy skills and direct employer-interviews bridging education and meaningful work in Eastern Uganda.
Watch the Eastern Career Fair Live
Missed the event in Mbale? You can catch all the highlights, panel discussions, and career clinics on BrighterMonday Uganda’s YouTube Live recording. See how over 1,500 youth engaged with employers, explored green jobs, tech opportunities, and inclusive employment strategies.
👉 Watch the full Eastern Career Fair Live here
