By Stephen Kasozi Muwambi

Granted Thornton, a global firm offering tax, audit and advisory services headquartered in the United Kingdom (UK), has expressed commitment to equip Ugandan graduates who possess theoretical knowledge with practical skills. This will help them secure promising employment opportunities.

The institution achieves this through offering skilling, mentoring and coaching services completely free of charge. The selected beneficiaries are given complementary laptops, internet connection and refreshments during breaks during the learning periods.

This unparalleled initiative is possibly the first-of-its-kind by a corporate entity in Uganda. Granted Thornton has a presence in over 130 countries, including Uganda.

Grant Thornton, located along Lugogo Bypass serves as a hub for employment opportunities for numerous esteemed companies in the region. Anil Patel, the firm’s Managing Partner, firmly believes that their students are guaranteed rewarding careers.

He said: “I have absolutely no doubt these fortunate young individuals will secure rewarding employment after completing this program.”

The target audience includes graduates and continuing students in the fields such as accountancy, economics, finance, taxation, procurement, logistics and other related programs. The inaugural group of beneficiaries has been undergoing the skilling process for three months now. The classes commenced in May this year after John Musinguzi Rujoki, the Commissioner General at Uganda Revenue Authority, officially inaugurated the academy.

Sharon Babirye, an Associate with the group, shares that each intake will span duration of six months. “It’s a flexible arrangement with classes taking place only once a week on Saturdays, considering that some beneficiaries are still in school or need to work for a living or pay tuition,” Babirye explains.

Babirye explains the expert coaches who take the students through the skilling classes are largely drawn from within Grant Thornton. Other coaches come from the academy’s sponsors.

Albert Byamugisha, a local director at Grant Thornton Foundation, said they are allocating a total of Shs5bn over five years to education, health and governance initiatives.

Byamugisha shares that they have a history of engaging in charitable activities related to HIV and cancer support. Other charity activities include aiding street children, blood donation, tree planting and sanitation.