By: Ismael Kasooha

KAKUMIRO

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah has urged the public, especially the youth, to embrace digitalization to cope up with the rapidly changing world where computer knowledge is becoming a must as Uganda gears towards socio-economic transformation.

“The NRM government is committed to socio-economic transformation through four avenues where Ugandans can transform themselves and these include commercial agriculture with “Ekibaro”, manufacturing, services and ICT. You can vividly see that what we are doing is in line with our wide plan of uplifting the living standards of Ugandans,” noted Nabbanja.

Nabbanja made the remarks while presiding over the launch of the Huawei DigiTruck Project in Uganda at Kakumiro district headquarters in mid-western region.

Pupils of Kakumiro Public Primary school performing during the Huawei’s Technologies Co Ltd launch of DigiTruck Training in Kakumiro District

The DigiTruck Project, sponsored by Huawei’s Technologies Co Ltd, is a training program whose main objective is to impart digital skills to over 10,000 Ugandans in a period of 3 years.

Nabbanja said that she met the Huawei team in her office earlier and agreed to bring the DigiTruck Project to Kakumiro.

“I would like to thank Huawei for their contribution to digital education and transformation for the benefit of the people of Uganda,” said Nabbanja.

She advised civil servants, women, students, politicians and the business community to ensure that they make IT their daily system of operation due to the benefits associated with IT.

She noted that the business fraternity can utilize digital skills for record keeping and avoid operating at a loss.

“ICT is the way to go. The whole world is moving digital, and Uganda cannot be left behind. Uganda is equally moving forward,” she said.

The Kakumiro Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Maj (Rtd) David Matovu, said some people in rural areas exploit the local people for some of the free e-services like getting a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security number due lack of computer literacy.

“Some move long distances to access ICT services, yet it can all be done on a smartphone and an iPad among other smart devices from their local areas,” said Matovu.

Gao Jian, Huawei’s Technologies Co Ltd Deputy Managing Director, encouraged the youth to seize the digitalization training opportunity that the company is providing to them for three years in Uganda.

“The skills you acquire will not only empower you but also contribute to the development and progress of Kakumiro and Uganda at large. Embrace the digital world, explore its possibilities and dare to dream big,” Gao said.

He added that, “Together we are not just imparting computer skills, we are opening doors to endless opportunities, fostering innovation and paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous Uganda.”

The project is expected to run in Kakumiro up to May 15, 2024 with the objective of training more than 400 local people including civil servants, women, students, politicians and business owners.

The Huawei DigiTruck project is part of Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative which aims to drive inclusion and sustainability across the globe.  In Uganda, it is running in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development and other government entities.

The Huawei DigiTruck project has so far skilled more than 3,500 Ugandans with 59.4% being male while 40.6% being female.

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