Gerald Paul Kasaato, Deputy Managing Director, NSSF
By Our Reporter
The 2026 NSSF Career Expo has kicked off at Makerere University with a strong turnout of students eager to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of careers.
The annual event, which opened on March 11, brings together students, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss emerging trends in the workplace under this year’s theme, “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers.”
Students turned up in large numbers on the first day to engage in conversations about how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is transforming industries and the skills young professionals need to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
Gerald Paul Kasaato, Deputy Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund, officiated at the launch of the 16th edition of the Career Expo. He said the initiative is part of NSSF’s broader effort to prepare young Ugandans for the realities of the modern workplace.
Kasaato said this year’s Expo will be held across 14 universities and campuses around the country, providing students with a platform to interact with experts and gain insights into career opportunities and future workplace demands.
...
Gerald Paul Kasaato, Deputy Managing Director, NSSF
By Our Reporter
The 2026 NSSF Career Expo has kicked off at Makerere University with a strong turnout of students eager to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of careers.
The annual event, which opened on March 11, brings together students, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss emerging trends in the workplace under this year’s theme, “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers.”
Students turned up in large numbers on the first day to engage in conversations about how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is transforming industries and the skills young professionals need to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
Gerald Paul Kasaato, Deputy Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund, officiated at the launch of the 16th edition of the Career Expo. He said the initiative is part of NSSF’s broader effort to prepare young Ugandans for the realities of the modern workplace.
Kasaato said this year’s Expo will be held across 14 universities and campuses around the country, providing students with a platform to interact with experts and gain insights into career opportunities and future workplace demands.
Students listen to one of the speakers
“As NSSF, we believe we have an obligation to prepare young Ugandans for the realities of the workplace,” Kasaato said. “Every year, more than 25,000 students graduate from universities and tertiary institutions across the country, yet the world of work is evolving every single day. The Expo gives students an opportunity to better understand these realities and prepare themselves for meaningful careers.”
The opening session also featured remarks from the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero Masanza, who urged students to look beyond the excitement of technology and focus on how it can create value in the economy.
Musenero said technological transformation should not be viewed merely as the introduction of new gadgets, but as a catalyst for increased productivity, innovation and improved service delivery.
“The real goal of technological change is to accelerate productivity, expand market access, foster innovation and improve service delivery,” she said. “Industrial revolutions are not simply about gadgets. They are about increasing the speed and scale at which value is created.”
She emphasized that artificial intelligence and digital transformation are shifting value creation from traditional sectors of the economy into the digital economy, urging young people to use technology productively.
“The real question is what you do with the time you save,” she said. “If AI helps you finish your assignment quickly, what do you do with the rest of your time? The purpose of saving time is not idleness, it is to create more value.”
Musenero also called on leaders in science and innovation to guide young people in navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with rapid technological change.
She noted that digital transformation has been evolving for years and that each industrial revolution begins gradually before becoming deeply embedded in everyday life, making it essential for students to adapt early and equip themselves with relevant skills.
The NSSF Career Expo continues with sessions, discussions and engagements aimed at helping students understand the changing nature of work and how to position themselves for opportunities in the digital age.
