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About CDSU

Who We Are & Our Leadership

The Career Development Society of Uganda (CDSU) is a non-partisan and non-profit organization established following the need for a structured, data-driven Career Development Programme (CDP) to enhance Uganda's national leap to high middle-income status.

Meet the Authors View Our Programme →
Our Identity

Building People First, For Wealth to Follow

We are focused on raising a critical mass of citizens with productive skills, who passionately add holistic value to themselves and the country at large. Our intent is on 'building people first, for wealth to follow'—bridging the gap between education, TVET skills mastery, industry mentorship, and sustainable entrepreneurship.

Who CDSU Is

The Career Development Society of Uganda is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation based in Gayaza, Wakiso District, Uganda, East Africa.

It is managed by an Executive Committee of career professionals from the fields of Education, Health, Gender, Labour and Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Internal Affairs. The Executive Committee plays an advisory and oversight role, with the Executive Director, Mr. Ivan Dan Gitta, at the helm.

Its motto is “Building people first, for wealth to follow.” It serves children and youth aged 8 to 35, parents and community educators, mainly through schools, colleges, TVET institutes and community groups.

Our Vision

To be the lead career development enterprise contributing to the production of balanced and wealthy citizens.

Our Mission

To complement government efforts in strengthening career pathways, aligning education and skills development with industry demands, and promoting innovation-driven wealth creation among the people of Uganda.

Our Core Objectives

01

Increase Career Development Awareness

  • Developing and disseminating well-documented and researched career development publications, books, journals, and e-magazines across print and online platforms.
  • Engaging in continuous training and sensitization outreaches among children and youth (ages 8–35), parents, and community educators (leaders, teachers, influencers).
02

Build Education–Industry Linkages

  • Establishing credible and formal education-industry networks that provide job-shadowing, mentorship, and apprenticeship platforms for specialized skills development.
  • Aligning institutional training directly with evolving national and global labour-market needs.
03

Scale Viable Income-Generating Ventures

  • Establishing and scaling well-grounded, viable, and varied income-generating ventures as model enterprises.
  • Ensuring organizational self-sustenance and youth enterprise survival with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in view.
04

Enhance Social Inclusion & Collective Economics

  • Promoting decent work and career empowerment for women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), refugees, and the long-term unemployed.
  • Harnessing the principles of collective economics to pool resources and build shared prosperity.
The Authors

The People Behind the Publication & Programme

Compiled by seasoned educators, university vice chancellors, and school career counselors across Uganda.

Mr. Ivan Dan Gitta

Mr. Ivan Dan Gitta

Concept Developer & Executive Director, CDSU
Profile

MA Organizational Leadership & Management (Uganda Christian University) • PGD Health Systems Care (Manchester Univ, UK) • BA Education (Kyambogo Univ)

A professional teacher, lecturer, project/community developer, and change agent. He most recently served as Dean of Students at Star International University in Juba, South Sudan, with a distinguished track record in social transformation and education innovations in Uganda.

Dr. Kato Kimata Joshua (PhD)

Dr. Kato Kimata Joshua (PhD)

Co-Author • Substantive Vice Chancellor, Avance International University
Profile

PhD & Masters in Education Planning & Management • BA Education (Kyambogo University)

An education management researcher and scholar with over 12 years of university teaching, mentoring, and supervision. Contributed the vital frameworks on career-to-wealth conversion, social competence (EQ), work-life rhythm, and retirement readiness.

Dr. Simon Mwesigwa (PhD)

Dr. Simon Mwesigwa (PhD)

Co-Author • Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Destiny University
Profile

PhD Theology (Northwestern Theological Seminary, Florida) • MBA (Makerere) • B.Ed (Kyambogo) • Dip. Theology (UCU)

A professional Trainer of Trainers with over 25 years of experience in Education Administration. Co-proprietor of Starford International University and Destiny University College in Juba, and central motivation for compiling this comprehensive manual.

Ms. Stella Naisanga

Ms. Stella Naisanga

Co-Author • Youth & Women Empowerment Specialist
Profile

Degree in International Business Administration (KIU) • Diploma in ICT (Makerere) • Cert. Guidance & Counselling (Reachout Uganda)

A passionate educator and youth/women empowerment practitioner across Uganda and South Sudan. Contributed interactive question guides, classroom dialogues, and led the pretesting of the manual among young people.

Ms. Charity Barungi B.

Ms. Charity Barungi B.

Co-Author • Education Officer & Counselor, SMACK
Profile

MBA in Human Resource (Uganda Martyrs Univ) • B.Ed English Language & Literature (Makerere Univ)

Career Counselor at St. Mary's College Kisubi (SMACK) who inspired the manual's conclusion, the emphasis on student projects under the Competence-Based Curriculum, and the practical school-transition decision guides.

Edits, Reviews & Strategic Contributors

  • Ms. Ijuka Agnes BarongoSenior Executive, CDSU & Communications Lead
  • Prof. Kefa NatolookaLead Academic Reviewer & University Consultant
  • Dr. Ronald MbagoReviewer • Seeta University
  • Mr. Businge Conan DanielReviewer • Victoria University
  • Mr. Kambaho Narasi AnyijukaReviewer • Uganda Vocational & Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB)
  • Mr. Boniface SsebukaluStrategic Linkages & Pilot Phase Advisor