By Benjamin Mwibo
-Renowned tycoon, Sudhir Ruparelia’s Victoria University, has expressed potential in talent development especially through artists in Uganda, as a key to address the challenge or reduce the degree of unemployment in youths.
To initiate the strategy, one of the main focus tools used by the institute is to support the young and upcoming artists by funding them in producing music and shooting videos. In Uganda, many people are competing for a limited number of good jobs, and without a decent education it is very hard to get one or have the confidence to initiate your own business instead.
According to the World Bank, Uganda has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 75% of its population is under the age of 30. Victoria University Uganda if not alone, it is one of the few Universities in Uganda that has taken a unique trend in focusing on talent development to brighten futures of its students especially after University.
Dr. Lawrence Muganga, the University Vice Chancellor was discussing with journalists on Friday, during the launch of a new song by Chris Banena titled “ Kanywe Okawulire,” funded by the University that they are a University of all categories of people not only in Uganda but also open to other nations.
“We are a Transformation University, which not only transforms society but people too. We however, want to make it clear that we are not trying to compete with managers in the entertainment industry, but this is part of our vision and education strategies as University, therefore promoters should feel safe to engage Chris Banena where needed and promote him further,” said Muganga.
He added that with Chris Banena, Victoria University financed the music and video shooting of his new song from France and some other parts of Uganda.
It should however, be remembered that Victoria University has of recently engaged too much into entertainment industry, a case in point , branding singer sheebah as their ambassador, the music battle it managed between Cindy and sheebah and now hosting Chris Banena, Mudrat and several artists to perform to students at a free cost.