Uganda will prioritise ICT for country’s development, Prime Robinah Nabbanja has said.
Officiating at the 3rd National ICT Job Fair at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, attracted over a thousand participants, including fresh graduates, ICT professionals, industry leaders, and key government and private policymakers themed “Shaping Uganda’s Digital Future: Bridging Skills, Innovation and Opportunity,” Nabbanja emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing ICT in its development plans for socio-economic transformation.
“Through strategic investments in infrastructure, skills development, and innovation, we are creating an enabling environment for ICT to thrive,” Nabbanja said.
Nabbanja also highlighted the importance of ICT in driving economic growth, empowering youth, and positioning Uganda in the global digital economy.
She thanked the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for strategic partnerships with key stakeholders like Huawei Technologies to bridge the digital divide and skill mismatch gap.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Bayromunsi, noted that the ministry is driving digital transformation in the country to ensure technology benefits all Ugandans.
“We must invest in young people and make them an asset for the country, not a burden,” Bayromunsi said.
Bayromunsi also emphasized the ministry’s goal of creating at least 30,000 direct jobs related to the ICT sector. He noted that the ministry is emphasizing innovation and interpretation to get solutions that address the challenges facing the country.
Huawei Technologies Uganda’s Deputy Managing Director, Ssali Gao, emphasized the company’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry. “At Huawei, we believe technology is a bridge to opportunity,” Gao said.
Gao also noted that technology and ICT will be the backbone of every industry in the world in the near future. He emphasized the need for skilled personnel in these sectors, highlighting the importance of events like the National ICT Job Fair.
The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of ICT in driving development. He noted that China and Africa plan to build a digital technology cooperation center and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects.
“With its continued growth, I believe the ICT sector can create more job opportunities for talented young men and women, greatly addressing their concerns and fostering digital inclusiveness,” Zhang said.
The National ICT Job Fair provided a platform for attendees to directly meet and engage with leading Ugandan institutions in the ICT industry, offering jobs, internships, and training. The skills development and training workshops provided hands-on sessions led by experts from Huawei and other industry leaders.
The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, recently flagged off a group of trainees bound for China to undergo training in cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, 5G, Digital Power, Cloud Computing, and ICT.
The beneficiaries, selected by Huawei based on academic excellence and commitment to technological advancement, will participate in the esteemed 2024 Huawei LEAP Digital Talent Training in Shenzhen China
“I call upon the trainees to take advantage of this opportunity to represent Uganda effectively,” Nabbanja urged. “Thank you, Huawei, for this initiative.”
This program is part of Huawei’s efforts to develop digital talent in Uganda and across Africa. Earlier this year, Huawei launched the DigiTruck Project in Uganda, aiming to impart digital skills to over 10,000 Ugandans in three years.
The company has also committed to training 150,000 young Africans in digital skills over the next three years.
This initiative underscores Uganda’s commitment to embracing digitalization and leveraging technology for socio-economic transformation.
Nabbanja emphasized, “ICT is the way to go. The whole world is moving digital, and Uganda cannot be left behind”
