The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in collaboration with Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), has successfully completed a digital skills training program across 15 rural districts, reaching 2,643 participants. This initiative, funded by the Uganda Communications Universal Service Access Fund (UCUSAF), aimed to enhance digital literacy in underserved and unserved communities from April 1 to June 19, 2024.

The training covered essential ICT skills, including computer and mobile phone usage, Microsoft Office applications, internet literacy, online collaboration, e-government services, and online safety. While the program was largely successful and received positive feedback, several challenges emerged. Many participants, particularly in Kotido and Bundibugyo districts, faced issues with device ownership. Despite UCC distributing over 150 smartphones, more than half of these devices were either malfunctioning or unusable, partly due to the lack of spare parts and technical expertise for repairs.

The training was well-received as participants found it directly applicable to their daily economic activities. For instance, in Amudat, participants could use their new skills to compare cattle prices across Kenya and Uganda, aiding in market decisions. The program attracted more women than men in seven districts, with participation rates ranging from 51.5% to 69.5%.

Participants expressed strong enthusiasm for the training and requested more sessions tailored to their needs..

To further improve the program’s impact, several recommendations have been proposed. These include addressing network connectivity issues in rural areas, planning additional follow-up training sessions, implementing short-term residential training for phone repairs, improving the operational status of UCC public access centers, and providing solar-powered devices to combat frequent power outages.

These steps align with the National Development Plan III (NDPIII) to foster a knowledge-based economy, particularly in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to read full training Report.

By Jane Anyango,

 Communication Officer