{"id":2331,"date":"2025-10-21T13:59:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T11:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/?p=2331"},"modified":"2025-10-21T14:04:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T12:04:58","slug":"eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth","title":{"rendered":"Eastern Career Fair Mbale: How BrighterMonday &amp; Mastercard Foundation Empowered 1,500+ Youth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Learn how the Eastern Career Fair in Mbale empowered over 1,500 youth with jobs, green-tech skills and inclusive opportunities through BrighterMonday &amp; Mastercard Foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f5bf0500d03\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f5bf0500d03\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth\/#How_did_the_Eastern_Career_Fair_Mbale_empower_youth_in_Eastern_Uganda\" >How did the Eastern Career Fair Mbale empower youth in Eastern Uganda?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth\/#What_happened_at_the_%E2%80%9CBridging_Dreams_and_Opportunities%E2%80%9D_fair_in_Mbale\" >What happened at the \u201cBridging Dreams and Opportunities\u201d fair in Mbale?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth\/#Why_is_this_fair_important_for_youth_employment_in_Uganda\" >Why is this fair important for youth employment in Uganda?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth\/#How_can_youth_leverage_the_opportunities_from_this_fair\" >How can youth leverage the opportunities from this fair?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth\/#TLDR\" >TL;DR<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/eastern-career-fair-mbale-how-brightermonday-mastercard-foundation-empowered-1500-youth\/#Watch_the_Eastern_Career_Fair_Live\" >Watch the Eastern Career Fair Live<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-did-the-eastern-career-fair-mbale-empower-youth-in-eastern-uganda\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_did_the_Eastern_Career_Fair_Mbale_empower_youth_in_Eastern_Uganda\"><\/span>How did the Eastern Career Fair Mbale empower youth in Eastern Uganda?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In October 2025, the annual event held by BrighterMonday Uganda in partnership with Mastercard Foundation delivered a clear answer: by engaging over <strong>1,500 youth<\/strong> 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).<br>In short: the fair connected, guided and matched youth with tangible opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-happened-at-the-bridging-dreams-and-opportunities-fair-in-mbale\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happened_at_the_%E2%80%9CBridging_Dreams_and_Opportunities%E2%80%9D_fair_in_Mbale\"><\/span>What happened at the \u201cBridging Dreams and Opportunities\u201d fair in Mbale?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sddefault.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Bd-jjR-l0dE\/sddefault.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2334\" style=\"width:604px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sddefault.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sddefault-390x293.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a breakdown of the two-day programme at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Mbale campus on 17-18 October 2025:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Day 1<\/strong>: The launch featured a high-level panel on \u201cYouth, Work and the Future of Industry in Eastern Uganda\u201d involving speakers such as Dr\u202fSerwanga\u202fJamil (Vice Rector, IUIU) and Watsemwa\u202fLilian (Principal Human Resource Officer, Ministry of Public Service).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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\u2019s AI Career Tool offering guidance on CVs, interview prep and salary negotiation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Day 2<\/strong>: Sessions deepened around inclusive employment, green jobs, tech &amp; digital economy, entrepreneurship and manufacturing. A dedicated Inclusive Employment Panel focused on young women and PWDs with Ramps, interpreters and quiet-zones ensuring accessibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The event closed with a <strong>Talent Showcase and Career Pitch Challenge<\/strong>, leading to on-the-spot interviews and job-matches for participants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attendance: Over 1,500 youth from Eastern Uganda participated. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-this-fair-important-for-youth-employment-in-uganda\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_this_fair_important_for_youth_employment_in_Uganda\"><\/span>Why is this fair important for youth employment in Uganda?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/G0VLMY-npDk\/hqdefault.jpg?v=68f35043\" class=\"wp-image-2333\" style=\"width:598px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hqdefault.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hqdefault-390x293.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The importance of the fair stems from the local context:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Mastercard Foundation\u2019s \u201cYoung\u202fAfrica\u202fWorks\u201d strategy targets enabling 4.3 million young Ugandans (ages 18-35) to access dignified work by 2030.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, this event is <strong>not just a job-fair<\/strong>, it is a strategic intervention into the youth-employment ecosystem in Eastern Uganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-youth-leverage-the-opportunities-from-this-fair\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_youth_leverage_the_opportunities_from_this_fair\"><\/span>How can youth leverage the opportunities from this fair?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are actionable takeaways for youth who either attended or missed the event:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Update your CV and LinkedIn\/profile based on the inputs from the CV-writing clinic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Test the AI Career Tool demo as introduced by BrighterMonday to refine your interview preparation and salary-negotiation skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore entry-points in green jobs (e.g., sustainable manufacturing, renewable energy), tech\/digital economy roles, and entrepreneurship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For PWDs or young women: look into the inclusive-employment resources &amp; networks highlighted at the fair (ramps, interpreters, dedicated zones) to ensure you\u2019re accessing the supportive channels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay engaged: sign up for upcoming regional fairs and career clinics from BrighterMonday Uganda to keep the momentum going.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tl-dr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TLDR\"><\/span>TL;DR<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Watch_the_Eastern_Career_Fair_Live\"><\/span>Watch the Eastern Career Fair Live<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Missed the event in Mbale? You can catch all the highlights, panel discussions, and career clinics on BrighterMonday Uganda\u2019s <strong>YouTube Live recording<\/strong>. See how over 1,500 youth engaged with employers, explored green jobs, tech opportunities, and inclusive employment strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Bd-jjR-l0dE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Watch the full Eastern Career Fair Live here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"CAREER FAIR EASTERN EDITION:BRIDGING DREAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Bd-jjR-l0dE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how BrighterMonday Uganda\u2019s Eastern Career Fair empowered 1,500+ youth with jobs, skills, and inclusive opportunities in Mbale&#8230;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":160,"featured_media":2332,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[247],"tags":[],"content_author":[],"class_list":["post-2331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-impact-initiatives"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/160"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2331"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=2331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}