St. Augustine’s College, Wakiso, came alive with energy last week as the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) delivered a high-impact digital skilling awareness session, positioning students at the heart of Uganda’s fast-evolving, technology-driven future. The engagement reflects a growing national shift toward accessible and affordable digital education.
With Uganda’s internet penetration now estimated at over 50% and the global digital economy projected to contribute trillions of dollars in jobs and services, the demand for digital skills, especially among young people, is increasing gradually.
Speaking to a packed dining hall, Mr. Moses Mugenyi, UICT’s Assistant Academic Registrar, outlined a wide spectrum of opportunities available to students, including web development, software engineering, and data analysis, urging them to start early and remain adaptable in a rapidly changing job market.
He also guided students on how to protect themselves against online fraud, an issue becoming more prevalent as internet access expands across the country.
Reinforcing the message of accessibility, Humphreys Mutese, lead instructor for CISCO and HP LIFE courses, introduced students to free, globally recognized online courses, demonstrating how learners can gain practical, industry-relevant skills without financial barriers. These courses include: Introduction to modern AI, resume writing, Python and JavaScript essentials, and basics of finance, among others. His session highlighted how digital platforms are democratizing education, enabling Ugandan students to compete on a global stage.
A standout moment of the visit was an immersive augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) experience, where students explored how emerging technologies are reshaping teaching and learning. The hands-on session illustrated how digital tools can make education more interactive, inclusive, and engaging.
“The virtual reality session showed me that learning can go beyond books. If we had more of this in class, I think more students would enjoy learning and understand better,” one student shared.
For the students, the outreach was a glimpse into a future where opportunity is increasingly digital, accessible, and reachable. Owek. Joseph Ddamulira Kawuma, the school's head teacher, applauded UICT for the initiative, noting that bringing such opportunities directly to students is key to ensuring that no learner is left behind in this digital era.