Government has in partnership with Chinese tech giants Huawei Technologies launched an ICT Hub in Teso sub-region in Eastern Uganda.
Named Huawei Digitruck , the project launched early this year is meant to provide free digital skills training for more than 10,000 beneficiaries over a period of three years.
Speaking during the launch, Vice President, Jessica Alupo said Digitruck project would create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the informal sector through enabling small business owners to participate in regional and national trade.
“Digital transformation is one of the key drivers of effective human capital development, it therefore gives me much pleasure to launch this project," she said.
The program is to be implemented in a phased way starting with Katakwi, Amuria and Kaperabyong district.
Later the program will traverse in the rest of remaining districts which make up Teso sub region.
The Vice President applauded Huawei for demystifying ICT by making it all inclusive to farmers, youths, women, young girls and boys, elderly etc.
She also called upon the youth to be very generous with the skills acquired to achieve a multiplier effect and to maintain discipline during the course but also asked Huawei to establish an ICT resource centre in Katakwi to promote continuity and sustainability of the program.
Alupo said the government considers Huawei Uganda as a strategic and important partner in the transformation of Uganda.
“We also acknowledge with appreciation to Huawei for building smart infrastructure here, such as aiding education through ICT,” she said.
She also asked Huawei to equip parish chiefs with computer knowledge and skills for the success of PDM.
Running in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development and an international social enterprise, Close the Gap, the Uganda DigiTruck project is aligned with Uganda’s 2040 vision, National Development Plan, and Education Digital Agenda Strategy.
Katakwi RDC Maj Godfrey Katamba stressed that the focus of these initiatives includes promoting digital foundation skills, digital communications and information, digital transactions, using the internet for problem-solving, online safety, civic responsibility, and data privacy, which will promote digitalization of the informal sector (Jua-Kali) enterprises for productivity and job growth in the country.
The DigiTruck program is coordinated with development and training partners globally to close the access and knowledge gap in digital literacy so that no one is left behind.”
Converted from a used shipping container, DigiTrucks are mobile classrooms mounted on trucks.
Fully solar-powered, their mobility enables them to be driven to remote and underserved communities that lack training facilities and, in some cases, a power supply.
Each 40-hour course trains students in digital literacy skills such as how to use devices, office software, and the Internet, alongside soft skills such as writing a resume, applying for jobs online, and running an online business.
Connected by 4G, each DigiTruck can accommodate 20 learners in one session and comes equipped with the Huawei IdeaHub smart screen, 21 Huawei smartphones, and 21 Huawei laptops, all of which run on solar power installed on top of the truck.
Huawei Technologies Uganda deputy managing director Gao Jian said Uganda is an important partner for China in Africa.
“The two countries enjoy profound traditional friendship. In recent years, our political mutual trust continues to be consolidated, the practical cooperation in all fields yielding fruitful achievements. China wishes to cooperate with Uganda continuously to promote the comprehensive cooperative partnership in scoring new achievements,”Jian said.
“The DigiTruck Project that Huawei started in Uganda is one of the examples of Chinese companies in Uganda performing due social responsibilities.
He encouraged beneficiaries to use the skills acquired during the DigiTruck training to indulge in e-commerce, sell their farm produce online and also to get jobs.