UMOJA Supports Youth Mobilization and Recruitment for Hotel Management Apprenticeships in Nakivale
Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda
UMOJA for Peace and Resilience has been actively supporting the mobilization and recruitment of refugee youth in Nakivale Refugee Settlement to participate in the hotel management apprenticeship programme implemented under the PROSPECTS Partnership, led by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with national and private-sector partners.
The apprenticeship programme aims to equip refugee and host-community youth with practical hospitality skills, improve employability, and address skills gaps within Uganda’s growing tourism and hospitality sector.
Mobilizing Youth for Opportunity
Through community outreach, information sessions, and engagement with youth leaders and community structures, UMOJA supported the identification and recruitment of motivated young people from Nakivale to apply for the apprenticeship programme. Many youth in refugee settlements face barriers to accessing formal training and employment opportunities due to limited information, mobility constraints, and lack of networks.
UMOJA’s role focused on:
- Raising awareness about apprenticeship opportunities
- Supporting youth to understand programme requirements and pathways
- Facilitating equitable access for eligible refugee youth
- Coordinating with partners to ensure smooth recruitment processes
Creating Pathways from Learning to Employment
The hotel management apprenticeship programme, implemented through PROSPECTS, combines classroom-based learning with hands-on, workplace training in hotels across Uganda. The initiative prepares participants for real-world employment while responding to industry demand for skilled local labour.
Graduates of the programme have gone on to secure employment in reputable hotels, demonstrating the effectiveness of apprenticeship-based approaches in supporting decent work and economic inclusion for refugees and host-community youth.
Strengthening Partnerships for Impact
The programme is implemented in partnership with key institutions including the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI), the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), relevant government ministries, and private-sector employers. UMOJA’s community-level engagement complements these institutional efforts by ensuring that refugee youth are informed, prepared, and supported to access opportunities.
UMOJA’s Commitment
UMOJA for Peace and Resilience remains committed to working with partners under PROSPECTS to expand access to skills development and employment pathways for refugee youth. By supporting mobilization and recruitment at community level, UMOJA helps bridge the gap between opportunity and access—ensuring that young refugees can participate meaningfully in Uganda’s labour market and contribute to inclusive economic growth.