Da Dona
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- Dec 16, 2025
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President Yoweri Museveni has questioned the value of certain university degrees such as Social Work and Social Administration (SWASA), psychology, and procurement, arguing that many graduates are pursuing courses that do not easily translate into available jobs.
📸: Daily Monitor UG
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations in Buikwe District on May 1, 2026, Museveni shared an encounter with a group of young graduates to illustrate his concerns about the country’s education system and unemployment.
He recounted meeting a graduate of psychology and asking what practical work he could do with the degree. The graduate reportedly told him he could analyze people’s thinking, to which the President challenged him further, asking how many jobs exist for such skills. The graduate suggested he could work in prisons identifying inmates who might attempt to escape, but failed to explain how many such positions were actually available.
Museveni said he was more impressed by individuals who had taken practical courses like catering, noting that many of them secured jobs quickly compared to those with more theoretical degrees.
The President emphasized that his concerns about the education system are not new. He revealed that he had long warned education officials about the dangers of expanding university enrolment without proper planning, saying the country risks producing large numbers of graduates in fields that do not match market demands.
He explained that years ago, when the number of students qualifying for university exceeded government sponsorship capacity, he supported the introduction of private sponsorship to allow more students to enroll. However, he cautioned that this expansion should have been guided by clear policies to ensure students pursue relevant and practical courses.
Museveni added that he had directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to issue guidelines on course selection, but admitted that the directive was not effectively followed up. He now says the matter will be revisited to align education with the country’s economic needs.
Despite his criticism, it is noted that the courses he questioned such as SWASA and psychology traditionally prepare graduates for careers in community development, counselling, and human rights work, combining academic theory with field-based training.
📸: Daily Monitor UG
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations in Buikwe District on May 1, 2026, Museveni shared an encounter with a group of young graduates to illustrate his concerns about the country’s education system and unemployment.
He recounted meeting a graduate of psychology and asking what practical work he could do with the degree. The graduate reportedly told him he could analyze people’s thinking, to which the President challenged him further, asking how many jobs exist for such skills. The graduate suggested he could work in prisons identifying inmates who might attempt to escape, but failed to explain how many such positions were actually available.
Museveni said he was more impressed by individuals who had taken practical courses like catering, noting that many of them secured jobs quickly compared to those with more theoretical degrees.
The President emphasized that his concerns about the education system are not new. He revealed that he had long warned education officials about the dangers of expanding university enrolment without proper planning, saying the country risks producing large numbers of graduates in fields that do not match market demands.
He explained that years ago, when the number of students qualifying for university exceeded government sponsorship capacity, he supported the introduction of private sponsorship to allow more students to enroll. However, he cautioned that this expansion should have been guided by clear policies to ensure students pursue relevant and practical courses.
Museveni added that he had directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to issue guidelines on course selection, but admitted that the directive was not effectively followed up. He now says the matter will be revisited to align education with the country’s economic needs.
Despite his criticism, it is noted that the courses he questioned such as SWASA and psychology traditionally prepare graduates for careers in community development, counselling, and human rights work, combining academic theory with field-based training.
