Uganda Christian University students have been urgedĀ to be enterprising, embrace agriculture and develop skills to create jobs, Rt Rev Joseph Abura,the Bishop of Karamoja Diocese, and also the chairman of the Local Advisory Committee of UCU, Mbale Campus, said
“Since jobs are scarce, students should think creatively, and develop relevant employability skills to create employment for themselves and acquire skills desired by employers. In doing all these, they should shun evils, like corruption,” the Bishop advised.
He noted that some government officials hinder the progress of some projects because of their corrupt habits. “The money which is collected as revenue in this country, if well spent, is enough to finance our budget without any external borrowing. Yet highly placed people in public offices are stealing it,” Bishop Abura said.
Corruption has become a cancer and a lot of money is “eaten” from the ministries because 80% of the budget is controlled centrally, only 20% is sent to local governments.
He urged Christians to show sanity wherever God has placed them because they are Christ’s ambassadors in those places.
On the other hand, Abura encouraged students to embrace agriculture and horticulture because it is a sure way of getting money since the government has prioritised it.
“Africa and Uganda in particular, is still rich with resources,” he said. But it needs people with knowledge and skills to tap those resources.
The question is, what can you offer? Do you offer white-collar jobs or white-collar skills? For the universities to remain relevant they should promote and produce skills which can accelerate development, he said.
The Director Uganda Christian University, Mbale Campus, Rev. Dr. Stephen Mung’oma, thanked the public for turning up for the Open Day because it’s an opportunity for the public to see what the university offers.