KAMPALA – On February 26, 2026, Dr. Patricia Adongo Ojangole, Managing Director of the Uganda Development Bank Ltd, delivered a stirring call to action for graduands at the 76th Graduation Ceremony at Makerere University. Moving beyond traditional congratulatory remarks, Dr. Ojangole challenged the Class of 2026 to embrace the “new currency” of the digital age – Artificial Intelligence, data literacy, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Drawing from her two decades of experience in the banking sector, she reframed the current landscape of economic anxiety as an era of unprecedented “freedom to innovate,” urging graduates to transition from being mere job seekers to becoming the primary job creators for Uganda’s future. Our ResearchFinds News Team recorded it:-
Distinguished Guests:
It is truly a pleasure to be back at the university from which I graduated over two decades ago. Today, I stand before you first as an alumnus of Makerere, and then as a banker. As an alumnus, I speak with deep conviction when I say that Makerere prepares you well for life.
This institution gives you confidence to step into the working world. The intellectual foundation you have received here, through a strong curriculum is solid. It is one of the best foundations on which to build your future. Makerere is a Ugandan, and global brand!
Allow me to pause and recognize the parents, guardians, and close relatives here today. This graduation is your achievement as well. Behind every graduand is a story of sacrifice – tuition paid with effort, encouragement given at the right time, prayers whispered, and patience exercised.
Thank you for investing your hope and your trust in these young men and women. Today is filled with pride and happiness. But alongside the celebration, there is also some anxiety. What comes next? Will you find your dream job, or will you become part of the unemployment statistics? Let me assure you – this concern is valid. It was just as real over two decades ago when I sat where you sit today.
Some of you may think that in my time there were more jobs and fewer competitors. That is partly true. But when I graduated, there were few mobile phones, not much email and internet. Many of the tools you take for granted today had not even been imagined. Yet the world changed rapidly before our eyes. So, what does this change mean? Your generation is different. You grew up with modern tools. You have unprecedented access to information and knowledge. You are far better equipped to face the world than we were. While there may have been more traditional jobs in the past, there were far fewer opportunities overall then, than today, if only you can know where and how to find those opportunities.
My cohort entered the job market in a Uganda rebuilding itself, focused on basic needs like food. You are entering a Uganda that has since moved far on; focused on innovation, digital connectivity, and global participation. If you compare generations comprehensively, you will see that you have the skills, knowledge, and exposure to achieve even bigger things than we did. But success today requires a new mindset. You are qualified to play a bigger role than many of you currently imagine.
Instead of all of you competing for limited jobs and waiting months or years for the “right” position, I encourage you to also think about entrepreneurship, because you are the innovators, you have the most brilliant ideas. Look around you, not every successful person made it from a corporate job. Infact, there is more money in the private sector. Uganda’s entrepreneurial landscape is dynamic and open to those with ideas, courage, and discipline.
Let me speak about mindset for a moment. As a society, we must make entrepreneurship and self-employment as respectable and attractive as formal employment. There is significant value – both financial and social – in building your own enterprise. Yes, the risks are higher, but so are the rewards. Follow the law. Be ethical. Treat suppliers and customers fairly. Apply what you have learned. Work hard. Think big. Those are the rules.
Today, the internet and digital technologies have transformed how we buy, produce, and sell. Emerging technologies are reshaping global job markets. Artificial intelligence is already disrupting employment in developed economies, and eventually its effects will be felt here as well. But what has already reached us are the opportunities. So let us remove the bias against entrepreneurship.
Those who do not find immediate employment should not feel defeated. You are not unlucky. You are free. Free to innovate. Free to choose your path. Free to build enterprises headquartered in Kampala and serving the world. And remember: every great journey begins with small steps. Be prudent. Be disciplined. Start where you are. Keep moving. Keep growing. The sky is the limit for you and your future enterprises. Do not lose confidence in your abilities. What you need now is courage. And if you ever doubt your potential to become an entrepreneur, step outside — visit the markets, the villages, and communities across the country. You will meet men and women known as micro-entrepreneurs. Most did not receive the best education or formal training like you have. They did not study accounting, engineering, or management sciences. Yet they had the courage and determination to stand on their own feet and build a livelihood. So, I ask you today: if they can succeed in business, why can’t you? Why won’t you achieve even more?
Dear Graduands, the future is not something you enter. It is something you create: for yourselves, your families, and your country. And as you graduate today, you may feel you have reached the finish line. But let me gently clear that myth — today is not the finish line; it is the starting line. I started by saying, your world presents many opportunities. How then do you prepare yourself for those opportunities?
Life long learning – This is the most important of all! Whether you choose to take a job or start a business, learning does not end. It must become your mindset and your habit. The world of work is constantly changing. Markets shift, technology evolves, and customer needs continue to transform. Those who stop learning quickly fall behind.
Let me speak a little bit about my profession, from experience of being an Accountant and a Banker. Corporate skills have evolved, so much that it is not enough to just do Bcom and ACCA. You need to identify which skills and knowledge are required for the growth of the entity you find yourself in. For example: AI and Data literacy, because Automation and AI are transforming Finance; thus, accountants must understand how to use, interpret and audit AI driven systems. Accountants need to leverage AI for predictive analytics and real time reporting. Analytical and critical thinking is another skillset; because beyond bookkeeping, accountants will be expected to interpret complex data and provide strategic insights – turning raw financial data into actionable business intelligence.
Forecasting and strategic planning as another skill – moving away from historical reporting to future focused advisory roles; tech savviness (blockchain, cloud, cybersecurity) – digital finance ecosystems that have emerged require accountants to understand emerging tech. Emotional intelligence and leadership as a skill is cross cutting—because no matter how advanced technology becomes, people will always follow leaders who inspire, not just instruct.” “These skills are not optional—they are the new currency of corporate success. And the beauty is, you don’t need to master them all today. What you need is the mindset of continuous learning: the courage to keep upgrading yourself, the humility to keep asking questions, and the resilience to adapt when the world shifts beneath your feet.”
As I said earlier, you are in a time where information is available, it is free or at least very affordable – you can learn anytime, at your pace. You sure have no excuses. Therefore, what you need to do is identify what is relevant for business and corporates tomorrow and align your continuous learning experiences. The world you are stepping into demands more than just the traditional tools of commerce and economics. Corporates today are searching for graduates who can bridge business knowledge with new, evolving skills.” If you pursue a job, lifelong learning will help you grow in your career, remain competitive, and adapt to new demands in the workplace. If you pursue entrepreneurship, lifelong learning will help you innovate, recognize opportunities, and navigate the uncertainties of business.
In addition to lifelong learning, the skills below will set you apart:
- Adaptability: The world will change faster than you expect. Be flexible, be curious, and embrace change.
- Networking: Success is not just what you know, but who you connect with. Build bridges locally and globally
- Ethics & Integrity: In a world of corruption and shortcuts, integrity will set you apart. Trust is the most valuable currency in business.
- Global Mindset, Local Action: Think globally, but act locally. Solve problems in Uganda with solutions that can scale across Africa.
Remember, your journey will not always be smooth; the world outside these gates is competitive, demanding, and sometimes unforgiving. There will be rejections, disappointments, and moments when effort does not immediately translate into reward. At times, you may encounter unfairness, criticism, or failure. It is very OK. This is not to discourage you, but to prepare you. These realities are part of life, and they test your resilience, patience, and character. Do not be afraid of this reality. Be ready for it. Prepare yourselves mentally and emotionally to stand firm. Learn to adapt, to recover quickly from setbacks, and to keep moving forward even when progress feels slow. Surround yourselves with people of integrity, keep your values strong, and let challenges refine you rather than defeat you.
The world may be rough at times, but it is also full of opportunity for those who are prepared, principled, and persistent. If your path is guided by purpose and integrity, then no hardship is wasted, because each one becomes a lesson, and each lesson moves you closer to the life you aspire to build.
In conclusion dear Graduands, you are not just entering the job market—you are entering history. Uganda’s story in the 21st century will be written by people like you. When you walk out of this Freedom Square today, remember: • You are not job seekers—you are job creators. • You are not just economists—you are architects of prosperity. • You are not just graduates—you are leaders of a generation.
The world is waiting for your ideas, your courage, and your innovation. Go forth, and let Uganda’s future be brighter because of you.
Congratulations, Class of 2026.
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