Chinese construction projects in Uganda are emerging as a major source of employment in the country. One such project is the construction of an Expressway in Uganda that links capital Kampala to Entebbe International Airport. The project is being spearheaded by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), employing over 2,000 youths.
In northern Uganda, one of the Chinese construction firms are constructing a $1.4b underground hydro power plant, the very first of its kind in Africa. At this project ranging from unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled levels, over 4,000 youths have been employed.
Many youths acknowledge that even after the projects are long gone, they will have gained skills to sustain their lives and families.
Most of these youths have dropped out of school for lack of fees but with these projects they hope to go back to school after saving enough money.
World Bank figures puts Uganda as one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world. About 53% of Uganda’s population is younger than 15 years – above Sub-Saharan Africa’s average 43.2%.
Every year, about 500,000 people are expected to enter the labour market. At the moment, 64% of the unemployed are aged 24 and below.
Experts say Uganda can take advantage of the increasing population by equipping youths with vocational skills and that increasing Chinese investment is partly solving the unemployment problem.
From the Chinese Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Uganda, figures indicate that over 40,000 jobs have been created so far by the Chinese enterprises in the country
