Refactory, a software-skilling academy, has strengthened efforts to link skilled youth to employment through a more targeted Career Expo, positioning it as a marketplace where industry demand meets job-ready digital talent in Kampala.
Speaking at the event held at the National ICT Hub in Nakawa on Wednesday, Refactory Executive Director Michael Niyitegeka said the academy is prioritising outcome-driven engagements that move beyond networking to actual job opportunities.
“Our end in mind is how do we get you to work,” he said, noting that all programmes are designed in collaboration with industry to match market needs.
The Refactory Career Expo 2026, held under the 10x Programme and themed “The Industry–Talent Expo,” attracted over 1,000 participants from across the tech ecosystem.
More than 60 companies engaged with talent, including firms such as SafeBoda, NFT Consult and Q-Sourcing, conducting interviews and scouting for roles in software development, data science, product design and IT support.
At least 120 candidates were shortlisted for interviews, with organisers emphasising structured engagements such as speed networking, live technical demonstrations and mentorship sessions to drive real-time recruitment.
The initiative is being implemented under the 10x programme, a consortium that brings together Outbox, Refactory, the United Nations Capital Development Fund and Women in Technology Uganda, with support from the Mastercard Foundation.
Outbox Managing Director Richard Zulu said the broader programme is designed to expand access to digital work opportunities, particularly for young women.
“Our goal is to support 34,000 young women by next year to access work opportunities enabled by the digital economy,” he said.
He noted that the programme combines skills training and enterprise support, enabling beneficiaries to leverage digital platforms, improve access to finance and tap into global markets.
Through Refactory’s project-based training model, participants are equipped with in-demand skills in software development, cybersecurity, data engineering and product design.
Refactory is targeting to train 3,800 young women and place at least 70 percent into employment, contributing to a wider programme goal of impacting over 60,000 young women and creating thousands of digital job opportunities over the next three years.
The expo also marked the launch of a digital job board aggregating global opportunities for Refactory-trained talent, streamlining access to employment and reducing the time spent searching across multiple platforms.