The MAT ABACUS Business School, in partnership with leading universities from Uganda, Nigeria, Portugal, and the Netherlands has officially launched the Developing Employability Skills in Accounting Education (DESIRED) Project; a European Union–funded initiative aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and workplace demands for accounting graduates.

Valued at €400,000 (approximately Shs1.64 billion), the two-year project seeks to strengthen the employability of accounting students through work-integrated learning, experiential teaching, and closer collaboration between academia and industry.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Samuel Ssekajja, Chairperson of the DESIRED Project, said the initiative aims to ensure that accounting graduates are equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed in today’s competitive job market.

“The DESIRED Project is funded by the European Union to the tune of 400,000 euros and will take two years to implement in both Nigeria and Uganda. The intention is to improve the skill level of accountants we train so that they are work-ready and have some experience about what goes on in the workplace,” Mr. Ssekajja said.

He added that the project will employ practical methods such as internships, case studies, and experiential learning to simulate real-life business environments.

“We are creating work situations in which students are required to make decisions and act. That is what this project is about, and today marks its official kickoff,” he explained.

Mr. Ssekajja also addressed concerns about the cost of accounting services, noting that the focus should be on producing highly skilled professionals rather than reducing costs.

“We are not funding SMEs to pay employees, but we can have accountants who possess better skills to serve. When we train people who understand real workplace demands, both businesses and the economy benefit,” he said.

Delivering his remarks, Prof. Twaha Kigongo Kaawaasa, the First Deputy Prime Minister for Buganda Kingdom, commended the initiative, describing it as a vital collaboration between Africa and Europe to make accounting education more responsive to modern realities.

“This project brings together countries in Europe that are Portugal and the Netherlands and countries in Africa, namely Uganda and Nigeria to ensure that accountants coming out of universities are ready for employment. Employers have noted a gap where universities produce accountants who are not work-ready, and this project is developing new pedagogies and these are methods of training to close that gap,” Prof. Kaawaasa said.

He emphasized that the initiative comes at a time when the world is rapidly changing due to technological advancement.

“We are in a century where artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, where machines are trying to replace human beings, but human beings remain irreplaceable. We must ensure that accountants are relevant in terms of accounting competence, communication, and other soft skills required by employers,” he noted.

Prof. Kaawaasa further highlighted that the DESIRED Project aligns with Uganda’s transition to competency-based training.

“Universities like MAT ABACUS and others must be ready to produce graduates who are competent and employable. The training must adapt to ensure that students coming out of our institutions meet the expectations of employers,” he said.

Ayeza Mutegeki, a student at MAT ABACUS and one of the beneficiaries of the DESIRED Project, expressed optimism that the initiative would transform the employability landscape for accounting graduates.

“Among students, one of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of jobs — not because they don’t exist, but because we often lack the expertise required,” Ayeza said.

She noted, “Yes, we have studied accounting, but the reality in the workplace is not exactly the same scenario. I believe this program will change the course of accounting education and enhance both our learning and work standards.”

She added that the project connects learners directly to employers through hands-on experiences.

“The project links us to employers through simulations, internships, and other practical engagements. We are learning how things are done in real organizations and how we can adapt those lessons to our future careers,” she explained.

Adding her voice, Associate Prof. Irene Nalukenge, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), said the project will be instrumental in addressing the long-standing employability gaps noted by employers.

“I believe that this project; Enhancing the Employability of Accounting Graduates is going to be very handy in improving the employability of our students. It will include practical elements such as internships and mentorships, where students will be placed with different employers to gain real-world experience,” Prof. Nalukenge said.

She noted that many employers have expressed concern over graduates’ lack of essential workplace skills.

“Employers have long been complaining about the readiness of our graduates,” she observed.

She added, “They lack soft skills and the ability to use certain accounting software — issues this project is going to address.”

Prof. Nalukenge added that one of the project’s most important deliverables will be a long-term academic framework for use across universities.

“At the end of this project, we shall have a framework that can be used by our university and other interested institutions to improve the employability of their graduates,” she said.

She added, “We believe this framework will form part of a curriculum that any university seeking to enhance the skills of its students will be able to adopt.”

The DESIRED Project is being implemented by MAT ABACUS Business School, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and partner institutions in Nigeria, Portugal, and the Netherlands with funding from the European Union.

Its expected outcomes include graduates equipped with job-ready skills, reduced youth unemployment, stronger collaboration between academia and industry and a new generation of empowered professionals driving national growth. 

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BrighterMonday Uganda (BMU), one of the country’s leading online recruitment platforms, has joined hands with the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) to launch the BrighterMonday Uganda Career Fair: Eastern Edition to decentralise employment opportunities and empower young people.

The announcement was made during a joint press briefing held at IUIU’s Kampala Campus, with the event slated for October 17–18, 2025, at the university’s Main Campus in Mbale City. It will be the first large-scale career fair of its kind in Eastern Uganda this year.

Present at the unveiling were key officials including Dr. Taha Ahmad Kasule, Director of IUIU Kampala Campus; Dr. Yunus Walusimbi, Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies; Imma Audrey Grace, Head of Learning and Development at BrighterMonday Uganda; and Jeff Luboga, Head of Workforce Development.

Dr. Kasule reaffirmed the university’s dedication to producing graduates who are ready for the job market.

“At IUIU, we believe academic achievement must translate into employability. This partnership bridges classroom learning with real-world opportunities and prepares our graduates for dignified work,” he said.

He urged students to seize the opportunity, noting that IUIU’s career development initiatives are aligned with Uganda’s employment goals under Vision 2030.

Speaking on behalf of BrighterMonday Uganda, Imma Audrey Grace emphasised the significance of taking such initiatives beyond Kampala.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with IUIU. The Eastern Region is rich with untapped talent, and this fair will connect over 40 top employers directly with young professionals eager to join the workforce,” she said.

Grace added that the event is not merely about job placements but also about long-term career empowerment.

“This isn’t just a job fair; it’s a comprehensive career development experience that blends recruitment, training, and professional networking to ensure young people are not only employed but sustainably employable,”Grace said.

Uganda’s youth aged 18 to 30 make up more than 22 percent of the population, and the fair aims to provide much-needed career pathways for this growing demographic.

More than 5,000 job seekers from across Eastern Uganda and neighbouring regions are expected to attend. Participants will engage with employers from key sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, trade, and telecommunications, as well as attend workshops on CV writing, interview preparation, communication, and entrepreneurship.

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Kenya, the pride of Africa is also one of the best countries you can visit, or do a self drive, road trip in Africa, after Uganda. It has very magnificent sceneries especially the Great Rift Valley and the coastal beauty of Mombasa and the bustling streets of Nairobi. This makes a self-drive adventure in Kenya worth experiencing.

Driving in Kenya is always made possible by car rental companies such as Your Drive Uganda, that makes your ideal road trip come to life. We provide the best cross border services at very affordable prices, for any car you desire.

However, before engaging in road trip in Kenya, there is a series of essential rules, practical tips and requirements one must know that make driving there both safe and enjoyable.

Driving Requirements for Driving as a Tourist in Kenya

Passport: It is incumbent of the visitor to move with their passport for customs and security purposes.

Insurance: Tourists must ensure their cars have comprehensive insurance, provided by their car rental companies that helps recover the vehicle in case it is stolen.

Car Rental Agreement: The tourist must have the car rental Kenya agreement of the agency to prove they are in legal possession of it. The car log book can be added to make it easy to cross the border.

Valid driver’s license: One must have a valid driver’s license so as to drive in the country legally. However, if one doesn’t have their home country’s license, they must possess an international driver’s license.

Minimum age: The legal driving age in Kenya is 18 years, as one is seen as an adult. However, most car hire companies prefer a person who is at least 23 years and with a driving experience of at least two years.

Road Rules and Regulations

Alcohol usage: As it is in Uganda, and most countries in the world, driving under the influence of alcohol is highly punishable by law. The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) should be 0.08%, beyond this, one is considered to be drunk and therefore cannot drive.

Driving side: The driving side in Kenya is left.

Road blocks: These are always set by traffic police officers and the drivers must always be cooperative, polite and adhere to what the officers say at those stops.

Speed limits: Different roads in Kenya have different speed limits such as

Urban roads: 50km/h

Rural roads: 80km/h

Highways: 100km/h

Seat belts: This mandatory for all car users to prevent head injuries in cases of collision.

Mobile phone usage: It is against the law to drive while using a mobile phone as it can cause accidents.

Road Conditions

Not far from Uganda, the road conditions of Kenya are in good condition in general.

Navigation: GPS operates well in most parts of the country but in far remote areas, it doesn’t. Therefore, it is very wise to download offline maps for easy navigation.

Muram roads: These are very common in remote areas of the country, characterized by rugged terrain.

Tarmac roads: These are the commonest especially in urban areas such as in major cities, connecting to highways and are the easiest to navigate through.

There are different car rental options such as self drive Kenya suitable sole travellers who love flexibility.

Car hire with a driver: It is suitable for those tourists who want to freedom and relaxation during a road trip.

Safety Tips for Tourists to drive in Kenya

As a tourist, one should avoid driving at night since you are not well versed with the area and most areas don’t have adequate lights.

Fuel adequacy should always be checked because when driving in remote areas, it is hard to find filling stations.

Tourists should be ware of motor cycles, pedestrians and stray animals.

Places to visit while driving in Kenya

Nairobi National Park- to view white rhinos, elephants and hippos among others

Masai village- traditional pastoralist life style, vibrant attire, unique culture.

Lake Nakuru- to view flamingo populations

Mountain Kenya loop: It is a favourite place for hikers

Fort Jesus – a historic site because it is an example of the 16th century Portuguese military fortifications.

Best Times to Visit Kenya during a Self Drive in East Africa

It’s during the dry when one can enjoy Kenya- that is in the months of June- September and December- February.

March-May and October to December (wet season) are also interesting times to Kenya, as there is a lot of rainfall, so visitors can watch animals during their gestation period.

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