VP Alupo hails Huawei for supporting Uganda's ICT growth

The Vice President Jessica Alupo has described  Chinese company, Huawei Technologies (Uganda) Co.Ltd as a force to reckon with when it comes to developing the country's budding Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Alupo who speaking during  the awarding ceremony of the 2021 Seeds for the Future finalists and the

2021-2022 Huawei Regional ICT Competitions finalists at ICT hub in Nakawa said Uganda's  ICT sector is one of the primary drivers for achieving economic growth and status as a middle-income country.

"Because of your programs such as the Huawei ICT Academy, seeds for the future and ICT Competition, we have

managed to produce globally competitive human resources for our country. This is a good example indeed on how a global company can contribute to the ICT sector’s growth and advancement in technology by boosting ICT infrastructure and introducing cutting-edge technologies. ,"Alupo said.

She encouraged all public and private higher learning institutions to open their doors for Huawei and their ICT talent development programs that could be of great value or benefit.

"As a woman who has risen to a high office, I would like to encourage more women out there to take up opportunities more so in ICT. I thank my daughters, Michelle Chemtai, one of the participants of the 2021-2022 ICT Competitors who took up first position at the regional stage and the other girls who participated in these competitions.  Thank you once again for representing your country and I wish you all the best as you

prepare for the global competitions."

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong applauded the Government of Uganda for creating an enabling environment for foreign investors including Huawei.

He further noted that the Focac meeting by President Xi JingPing in Senegal in November 2021 announced a series of new significant initiatives for China-Africa cooperation, including the nine programs on health, poverty reduction and agriculture, trade promotion, investment promotion, digital innovation and capacity building among others.

“About Capacity Building Program, statistics show that by the end of 2021, China has provided more than 5,000 training opportunities for Ugandan professionals, technical talents and students through short-term seminars, training workshops and full scholarships provided by elite Chinese Universities," he said.

"Since 2019, Huawei has trained over 6000 excellent Ugandan university students through the “A Better U for A Better Uganda” ICT talents training programs encompassing Huawei ICT Academy, Seeds for the Future Program and ICT Competition. Many of these young talents have already begun working the field and achieved good results.

"In Huawei Uganda, we see a fine example of Chinese company who not only look for profits for itself, but also look for win-win results by giving back to the local community and its young generation so that business and friendship could last."

Dr, Aminah Zawedde, the Ministry of ICT Permanent Secretary, said government  aspires to increase access and use of ICT across the entire population and its banking on reputable companies like Huawei to drive the national agenda.

"This will serve as a way of improving service delivery, employment, and social transformation through utilization of quality as well as affordable ICT services in all spheres of life.  We are excited and proud that young Ugandans are fully embracing ICT through participation in competitions such as these and later on performing excellently till the top. I am happy that HUAWEI creates such initiatives and supports government  in this journey of digital transformation," she said.

Rogers Irumba Kaija, the Undersecretary Ministry of Education and Sports said the ministry partnered with Huawei for the Seeds for the future program and over the years they have always made it a point to play an active role in the implementation of the digital upskilling initiatives in schools and universities across the country.

"I call upon Huawei Technologies Uganda to begin exploring the possibilities for delivery of infrastructure that will bring our education and sports sector up to speed with the dynamic changes and resulting challenges that have been presented by the 21st century."

"We believe that these skills that are being imparted through programs such as the ICT Academy, ICT Competition and Seeds for the Future are relevant to our transformational agenda. They act as a crucial platform for sharing the latest ICT technologies, enriching students' work experience and equipping them with relevant skills for the dynamic world of work."

The Huawei Managing Director, Gao Fei, the Huawei Managing Director thanked the applauded government through the   Ministries of ICT and that of Education for making the tech company's work in Uganda so

easy through providing an enabling environment and maintain a very good investment climate.

"In this new era of digital, Huawei looks forward to accelerate scientific and technological innovation among Ugandan Youth; invest in knowledge innovation and talent development to bridge the gap between schools and enterprises. Huawei through its ‘Training’ initiatives aligns school majors and industry sectors, course content and professional qualifications, teaching structures and production processes, and talent development and employment," Fei said.

"Huawei provides a comprehensive solution that covers the entire ICT talent development process from course development, trainer enablement, to lab environment setup, and from talent certification, competition, to employment."

He revealed that Huawei has already set up  17 ICT academies, trained over 5000 youths, certified over 2800, trained over 4500 through the ICT Competition and given over 400 internships up to date.