Efforts to bridge Uganda’s digital skills gap have received a major boost following a landmark engagement between the CIO-CxO Digital Leadership Forum, the National Information Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-Uganda), and Gulu University aimed at extending the National Tech Skills Talent Programme to Northern Uganda.
The high-level meeting, held at the NITA-Uganda Boardroom in Kampala, brought together senior government officials, leading technology executives, and top leadership from Gulu University to map out a strategy for positioning Northern Uganda as the country’s next technology talent hub.
The meeting was chaired by Julian Rweju, Director of E-Government Services at NITA-Uganda, who emphasized the critical role of academia in driving Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.
“We cannot build digital transformation in this country without academia. Universities produce the workforce and talent that the technology sector needs, and partnerships like this are essential in aligning education with national development priorities,” Rweju said.
At the centre of the discussions was Uganda’s growing mismatch between education output and industry demand. Despite producing an estimated 700,000 graduates annually, many technology-related positions remain unfilled due to a lack of industry-relevant skills.
To address this, stakeholders are scaling up the National Tech Skills Talent Programme, a structured initiative launched three months ago that connects students directly with practicing Chief Information Officers (CIOs), provides globally recognized certifications, and links graduates to employers through a National IT Talent Registry.
Already, the programme has trained more than 80 students from 15 universities in its inaugural cybersecurity cohort, with upcoming sessions focusing on artificial intelligence and data analytics. Delivered online and free of charge, the training equips learners with skills required for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and other digital jobs that can be performed remotely.
The Forum’s Executive Secretary, Nkurunungi Gideon, said the expansion into Northern Uganda is a deliberate step toward inclusive national development.
“The North is not behind—it is waiting. By anchoring this programme at Gulu University and extending it to sub-regions like Lira, Kitgum, and Arua, we are building the foundation for a regional digital economy that can contribute significantly to Uganda’s workforce,” he noted.
Under the agreed framework, Gulu University will serve as the anchor institution in a sub-hub model designed to extend programme access to multiple universities and technical institutions across the region. This approach is expected to accelerate enrolment and impact without duplicating resources.
Plans are also underway to establish a Community Digital Literacy Access Centre at the university to extend training beyond students to surrounding communities, particularly targeting youth, women, and underserved populations.
Jonathan Kayemba, Chairperson of the Forum’s Governing Board, said the initiative is focused on delivering practical solutions rather than dialogue.
“When government, industry, and academia collaborate, we move beyond identifying problems to implementing real solutions. Talent development is not just a national issue—it requires a coordinated regional response,” he said.
Gulu University welcomed the partnership, describing it as timely as the institution celebrates its 25th anniversary.
University Secretary David Obol Otori said the collaboration would open doors for students in Northern Uganda to access the same opportunities available in major urban centres.
“Our students deserve equal access to networks, mentorship, and employment pathways. This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of producing graduates who are not just educated, but employable,” he said.
The National Tech Skills Talent Programme is a 10-year initiative aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV. It aims to train 50,000 certified ICT professionals by 2031 and scale up to 200,000 by 2035, positioning Uganda as a leading digital outsourcing destination in Africa.
In the coming months, the programme will expand to technical and vocational institutions across Northern Uganda, alongside plans for a nationwide hackathon to further nurture innovation among students.
Officials say the initiative marks a significant step toward reducing youth unemployment, strengthening digital capacity, and unlocking new economic opportunities across Uganda.
