In efforts to empower the young people in the Busoga sub-region, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in collaboration with Gold Serve and Ewaka foundation has extended the digital education to the young generation in the Eastern region.
The notable education benefited over 130 youths from Butembe chiefdom, obtaining significant skills and knowledge in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Multimedia programmes.
During a 5-day vital training organised at Jinja city from May 20 to 24, 2024, emphasis was put on the importance of the Internet and effective usage of electronic gadgets, including mobile phones, tablets and computers, for digital marketing.
The education was steered by the Ministry of Youths and ICT in the Busoga Kingdom undertaken by Owekitibwa James Mukembo. Mukembo, through the Busoga Kingdom Youth Council (BKYC), mobilized the beneficiaries to turn up for the free and proactive initiative that would potentially pull the young bloods out of poverty.
Mr Godfrey Kizito, an information and technology (IT) and multimedia specialist who led the training, elaborated on the significance of utilizing electronic devices to earn money on the Internet. He says the training has since been conducted in five districts of Eastern Uganda, including Iganga, Tororo, Mbale, Jinja, and Bukedea.
“These organisations under UCC saw a gap in Uganda where a number of youths are unemployed. They came together with an idea of training the youth on ICT and multimedia, believing that the youth can use a phone to earn money,” says Mr Kisito.
Kizito says that among the skills taught to youth include effective navigation and operation of applications like Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Website, among others. These are the crucial platforms for digital marketing.
“We have trained them content creation and navigation of phone. They have phones, and they can really do better with those electronic devices,” added.
Kizito explains that the initiative is facilitated by the Uganda government, describing it as a full suponsored programme that has come to electronically transform the youth in Busoga and the entire country. He says this is its second time as the training kicked off last year.
He calls for effective utilisation of the skills attained, saying several refresher courses are anticipated to take place in different districts.
According to Owekitibwa James Mukembo, the Busoga Kingdom’s minister for youth and ICT, the digital short course is a key to the life of youth as many are ignorant on the proper and positive usage of phones.
“UCC reached me to mobilize the youths for this cause, and I did. They have received knowledge in ICT and multimedia. I believe that many can now use their phones for money, not abusing people on social media,” said Mr Mukembo.
Mukembo says the phone is a business that several transactions can be made on it. It is a source of employment, especially if such education is extended to people.
Fred Wakibi, who leads protocol and mobilisation in BKYC, is among the beneficiaries. He says he learnt several skills and new features on the phones.
“By the time we have closed this training, I am now an expert in using different applications. I am going to promote Busoga culture using my phone, and I shall do a lot of stuff,” says Wakibi.
While Nambi Clare who owns Girls Initiative for Empowerment, a local organisation transforming the girl child says the knowledge attained shall boost the Organisation’s objectives of reaching more people to provide support to the young girls in Busoga.
“I have been much confident that the phone is used to abuse people and doing irritating acts on social media. But today I have learnt that you can use it for business. I believe my mindset is now changed to using my phone to market my businesses,” said Andrew Bogere, a beneficiary from BKYC.
The youths who hailed from the areas of Jinja city and the greater Jinja district received were issued with certificates acknowledging attendance and completion of digital programs. The certificates were handed over to them by Mr Yafesi Bairukireki, the BKYC chairperson.
