My personal Celestial Observation on unemployment, job hunting and connections in Uganda.

This is how Uganda works from a perspective you have never seen, heard or be taught in school. The most potent means of getting visibility is competency cum discipline in what you do passionately and the other is your relationship.

 

This is a twin concept in any ideal situation where one can’t do without the other unless in Uganda where competency is supplanted under the heavy force of tribalism, cronyism and religious bigotry all in the name of connection Power.

 

But I digress to explain the common eccentricity. In ideal cases in our clime Relationship is the most potent. This differs from connection of mere acquaintance to a credible sponsor of repute but having a relationship with someone who can plead your case even in-absentia "gamba n'ogu'.

This concept is also connected with the relationship between activism and advocacy. We all have the rights and capability to protest or show discontent for authorities to appeal or address us as a crowd but only a few can drive Policies and sit at tables for Reforms, hand outs and job appointments.

 

This explains why you find very talented people languishing in poverty because they have no relationship bandwidth that can effectively plead their case and defend their competency via meritocracy. Suffice to say competency alone can’t get you there.

 

So when you live recklessly and betray people, that ripple effect goes beyond your imagination. It builds a negative reputation for your persona that poisons whatever talent that you may have. Recommending you to anyone becomes a risk no one wants to take.

 

In the political clime and the business world you can’t define anyone or recommend anyone you have not experienced. You have no basis to defend what you don’t have personal experience on in the know. The account of random third parties don’t count as a reference.

 

In Uganda, many of us see others as corrupt because of the programming of politicians not because they have robbed you before personally or you have a conviction from a competent court on this assumption but all that is in your head and those who drink with you at the pub.

In the real world when tasks need to be accomplished, the key ingredient for the award is not Social media vibes via consumerist conformity of some online marauders and beauty. It is more about your competence cum depth of recommendation from those who’s related with you in the know.

 

What the sponsor with a relationship with such candidate is expected to do is put his goodwill on the line for this person. Now in the workplace all the employer sees is a competent worker backed up with a credible sponsor (Godfather of some sort). This culture is operational across sectors and mostly within the sociopolitical space in Uganda. We all know products of these schemes.

 

There is a responsibility within that chain of influence. There must be an experience. This is why you can’t just connect with people on social media and expect a recommendation to high places. You can’t meet people today and demand that they take you to the President for a job tomorrow, that is desperacy. They must experience you first and prove your competence and discipline before putting their weight on your cause.

 

This is why you can’t really break political circles especially under the oppression of populist parasites. It is cult like and there is always a pyramid through which your loyalty will be tested. In fact you spend majority of your youthful years proving your maturity and readiness.

With the current entitlement paralysis of our young, avarice and impatience none of the thought leaders can even clear most for internship let alone employment. This is why you see 40 year old and beyond being appointed as aides and clerical appendages. It’s a game of trust.

 

Many of you may not have gotten the memo but this is what operates. Interviews nowadays are exploitative. They now ask you to draw up business plans or pitch and never get back to you yet your ideas are implemented and you can’t fight back because you have no means. You can barely afford a good meal at a 5 star hotel.

Its now survival for the fittest, i wish you good luck.