In a stark illustration of Uganda’s struggling job market, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has revealed that a whopping 81,873 applicants recently applied for just 277 entry-level positions in government institutions.
This revelation came from Agnes Kabogoza, the PSC chairperson, during a recent press breifing where she expounded on the 2025 Graduate Recruitment Exercise (GRE).
The exercise, aimed at filling degree-level roles across 18 government entities, shows the intense competition for stable employment in a country where formal jobs are scarce.
However out of the 81, 873 applicants, Kabogoza said only 43,123 met the shortlisting criteria and advanced.
“This exercise attracts fresh graduates from universities and other graduates interested in joining Public Service,” Kabogoza noted.
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The numbers paint a grim picture: for every job opening, nearly 300 applicants competed, highlighting the desperation among Uganda’s youth. With a population where over 78% are under 35 years old, the job market is overwhelmed.
According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, the youth unemployment rate stands at 16.1%, a figure that jumps when factoring in underemployment. Many young Ugandans are stuck in informal gigs like street vending or subsistence farming, which offer little security or growth.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates the overall unemployment rate at around 2.9% in 2024, but this masks the reality: nearly 42.6% of youth aged 15-24 are not in education, employment, or training, per recent surveys. On the other hand underemployment affects millions, with workers earning below poverty levels in unstable roles.
Experts say this mismatch stems from rapid population growth—Uganda adds about 1.2 million people annually—outpacing job creation. The economy, reliant on agriculture, struggles with low productivity and climate vulnerabilities.
Urban migration has swelled in Kampala, where graduates face slim prospects in a market dominated by informal sectors.
Kabogoza highlighted challenges in the recruitment process, including applicants ignoring instructions, creating multiple accounts, submitting incomplete data, or applying for mismatched roles—like an engineer vying for a human resources post.
To counter this, she said the PSC has provided detailed guidance on its official website and urges candidates to avoid scams from WhatsApp groups posing as coordinators.
“All services provided by the PSC are free,” she emphasised, warning of past impersonation cases leading to legal action.
Looking ahead, shortlisted candidates will sit aptitude tests from September 15 to 26 at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole. Results are due by October 6, followed by oral interviews from October 13 to 31 at a 1:6 ratio—six applicants per position.
Final outcomes are expected by November 10. Kabogoza advised test-takers to arrive early, carry national IDs, and avoid excess baggage for security reasons.
