Kampala: Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth has urged Ugandan students to focus on practical innovation, integrity, and enterprise job creation rather than solely relying on paper qualifications for success in the job market.
According to African Press Organization, the Speaker addressed the attendees at the 16th graduation ceremony of Makerere Business Institute (MBI) at its campus in Makerere on Friday, 21 August 2026, where 564 students were awarded diplomas and certificates in Journalism, ICT, Business, and Finance. Celebrating its 33 years of service, the institute provided a platform for the Speaker to discuss significant challenges within Uganda's education sector, workforce readiness, and the increasing social vulnerabilities affecting youth.
"You receive a certificate today; tomorrow the world will ask what you can do with it. Education must, therefore, provide more than documents. It must instill skills, character, and the courage to create opportunities," Oboth emphasized to the graduates. He highlighted the importance of tertiary education in the evolving national and global economy, stressing that true learning extends beyond academic credentials.
The Speaker also addressed the challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children, such as school dropout, early pregnancy and marriage, child labor, drug abuse, and mental health issues. He reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to policies that support keeping vulnerable children in school and offering them pathways to skills and opportunities, stating that the country cannot afford to neglect any segment of its future workforce.
Encouraging the graduates to harness technology while maintaining their humanity, Oboth urged them to build enterprises, create jobs, and use their skills to solve problems within their communities and beyond. "Artificial intelligence will transform the workplace, but it will never replace character, judgment, and integrity," he noted.
Addressing concerns about the operational costs for private institutions, including taxation, utilities, internet costs, and infrastructure, Oboth reassured administrators that Parliament would advocate for a conducive policy environment to ensure affordable, high-quality education.
Hon. Madina Ntale, Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division South, supported the Speaker's message and encouraged graduates to embrace hard work, discipline, and self-reliance as they enter the workforce. MBI, founded in 1993 by Hon. Nathan Itungo, former Member of Parliament for Kashari South County, continues to play a vital role in shaping Uganda's future professionals.