According to statistics from National Planning Authority, fresh graduates are churned out every year, but sadly 87% of them never get to find employment. This flood of jobless graduates joins an already-deep pool of unemployed youth, making the numbers soar. “Many of them end up getting themselves in unscrupulous means of earning, “ notes Herbert Kafeero, whose book ‘End of the Road’ chronicles the plight of fresh graduates in Uganda.
Having witnessed many of his colleagues and other graduates struggle to find employment upon completing of University, Kafeero, a communications specialist working with Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) Uganda, got intrigued to share it all in a book.
“ ‘End of The Road’ is based on the realities of life, putting a spotlight on the struggles of unemployed graduates. The story is about Robert Omare, a young man from the remote Agule village, who is one of the many brilliant graduates from a prestigious university. After roaming the streets of the city in quest of a decent job in vain, he loses hope for life and wastes it. Omare meets seductive Mama Namu, one fit to be his mother, in a slum during one of his reckless alcohol drinking nights. With all expectations around him, does he have enough to think about his future?
Kafeero’s own experience is not very different from Omare’s. “Upon graduation, employment was not assured. It wasn’t a walk in the park,” he says. He’s quick to confirms that bits of Omare’s story are inspired by his personal experiences.
“I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. In fact, if it were not for education sponsorships, I would not have completed secondary level education or even attained a degree.” Upon graduation, he applied for a volunteer position which was granted to him. Like many others, volunteering provided the much-needed exposure and experience that paved a way for other opportunities.
His thoughts about solving the unemployment are very clear. “I think the solution to the unemployment problem is mind-set change that should be inculcated right from primary level such that children are nurtured to be job creators,” he says. “We also need to redesign or even overhaul our education system and tailor it to our needs and priorities. I recognize that vocational education has taken root in the country. However, Government of Uganda needs to popularize it among the youth.”
Kyomugisha Sarah, a student at Makerere University, in her review of the book says, “End Of The Road is a true reflection of what most youths are going through. Unemployment pushing them to do things they wouldn’t be doing.”
Who Is Kafeero Herbert?
Kafeero comes off as a humble and very intuitive person, words are not just words with him and his thirst for knowledge and self-improvement is noticeable. About his childhood, he narrates; —“I grew up in Mityana, in a humble family. I am the fourth of a family of six children. I lived with both my mother (Nambi Annet) and father (Lukwago Edward) during my early childhood. I attended Fairway Primary School for primary level. I later severally changed secondary schools due to lack of school fees before I secured a merit-based tuition fees bursary to complete Ordinary and Advanced level certificate of education at Ssingo Secondary School. I was one of the best students at my former school and was later admitted on government sponsorship at Makerere University where I successfully obtained a Bachelors of Development Studies degree (Second Class Honours Upper Division). ”
The Ugandan Reading Culture.
“We need exposure at an early age as it might be problematic to introduce a reading culture amongst adults,” he suggests. “There is need to set up community information centers across the country to make it possible for all categories of people to access books and other reading materials that can enhance their learning and ultimately improve the reading culture.”
The Pandemic.
Other than the realization that those of us in formal employment are just a Pay cheque away from being poor, the COVID 19 pandemic has laid our lives bare and compelled us to appreciate our most essential needs such Healthcare, Food among others. Herbert continues, –Healthcare is a very important aspect of our lives and it should not be left to the private sector. Pandemic profiteering by private healthcare providers re-emphasized the urgent need for government regulation of the entire economy and not to relegate its role to the private sector.
His life mantra?
Don’t be enslaved by your Academic Qualifications. You are more than what you studied.
‘End Of The Road’ can be accessed through Rotrak Printers and Publishers.
Herbert Kafeero is on Social Media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbertkafeero
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kafeeroherbert
Twitter: https://twitter.com/herbertk4
Word press: https://herbertexperience.wordpress.com/
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