Last month, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the ICT Minister, introduced an thrilling and bold plan to arrange pc labs in all public secondary faculties throughout Uganda. This initiative, revealed throughout the launch of a pc lab at San Giovanni School-Makiro in Kanungu District with the assist of our companions, American Tower Corporation, marks a transformative milestone within the nation’s academic panorama.
This effort underscores the federal government’s dedication to selling digitalization by favorable insurance policies reminiscent of Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Digital Transformation Roadmap. The Uganda Communications Commission has already established over 1,000 pc labs in varied faculties nationwide over the previous few years, setting a powerful basis for this new initiative.
The timing of this step is especially important, particularly on condition that 75% of Uganda’s inhabitants is below the age of 30 and at the moment going through excessive unemployment charges. By integrating computer systems into academic establishments, we will empower college students with important digital expertise very important for right now’s fashionable office. This initiative will facilitate their transition into productive employment, finally benefiting our financial system.
Thus, entry to computer systems not solely enhances info availability but additionally fosters collaboration and demanding considering—expertise essential for fulfillment in fast-evolving fields reminiscent of know-how, engineering, and innovation. By equipping our college students for careers in these sectors, we will lay a stable basis for sustained financial development and international competitiveness.
At MTN Uganda, we acknowledge the transformative potential of digital training. Our strategic initiatives embrace establishing over 57 ICT labs nationwide and supporting technical institutes like Amelo Technical Institute in Adjumani and St. Simon Peter’s Vocational Training Centre in Hoima. These efforts present college students with hands-on studying experiences, equipping them for fulfillment in a digitally pushed world. Our Ambition 2025 technique aligns seamlessly with these initiatives, aiming to bridge the digital divide and empower younger Ugandans by know-how.
Moreover, introducing computer systems in public faculties extends advantages past the classroom. By equipping lecturers with fashionable instruments, we improve lesson supply and enhance academic outcomes whereas increasing their skilled capabilities. This initiative additionally empowers group members to accumulate precious digital expertise, fostering socio-economic growth in underserved areas.
However, whereas the promise of this initiative is immense, challenges stay—significantly regarding the affordability of web entry. To absolutely notice the advantages of computer-equipped faculties, it’s essential that college students, educators, and communities have entry to reasonably priced and dependable web companies.
By making web entry extra reasonably priced, we will speed up Uganda’s digital transformation agenda, empowering residents from all backgrounds to completely take part within the digital financial system and reap the advantages of enhanced connectivity.
As such, we urge all stakeholders—college students, educators, authorities entities, and personal sector companions—to unite behind the federal government’s initiative to equip secondary faculties with computer systems. Together, we will empower a digitally literate technology able to sort out challenges and seize alternatives within the digital period. MTN Uganda stays steadfast in supporting this imaginative and prescient. By collaborating with stakeholders and leveraging our experience in digital options, we will construct a digitally inclusive Uganda the place each particular person has the instruments and expertise wanted to thrive.
Let us rally collectively below the banner that “Together, We’re Unstoppable,” guaranteeing that Uganda’s digital future is brilliant and affluent for all. As we embrace this new period of digital training, we pave the way in which for a technology of innovators and leaders able to form the long run.
Bryan Mbasa is senior supervisor at MTN Foundation
