Digital Skilling Hub Launched In Kasese; Lessons Free Of Charge to the Community

By Ivan Kaahwa

The American Tower Corporation has launched a Digital Community Skilling Center for the Kasese Community at Mpondwe Primary School. The facility, equipped with 20 computers, will be used to extend computer skills to both learners of Mpondwe Primary School and the community, enhancing their digital proficiency and fostering an employable society, while also encouraging participation in the digital economy. The facility is the 32nd of its kind in Uganda, targeting to support Ugandans in financial literacy training and career development opportunities, serving as a hub for innovations at no cost.

The Chief Executive Officer of the American Tower Corporation, Dorothy Kabagambe, emphasized that ATC has taken on digital communities as a flagship project across Uganda to skill Ugandan youth. She says that every month, the students and the elderly who have skills in computer work are awarded a certificate in computer studies, which can be used to seek employment in the digital space. The Digital training facilities have benefited over 6000 learners and members of the community across the country.

Joseph Kizito the Head of Consumer Affairs at the Uganda Communications Commission, noted that the support provided by ATC complements the ICT lab projects executed by the commission in over 1000 secondary schools in Uganda. He added that such meaningful interventions will make the vision of a digitally transformed Uganda a reality.

Minister of State for National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga, lauded the American Tower Corporation for launching such an initiative at the foundation, which is the primary level, and emphasized that it is necessary to have digital literacy in the growing space. Kabbyanga emphasized that while UCC focused on secondary schools, ATC has achieved at a lower level in line with the digital transformation roadmap launched by the government in 2023, with digital skilling as one of the pillars.

While the ATC erects towers on behalf of telecommunication companies in the country, telecommunication companies have an obligation to ensure that all areas in Uganda have mobile connectivity and internet access, especially as the government erects more digital skilling hubs and extends services to areas where the private sector cannot reach. This is to enable Ugandans to have access to telephone networks and the internet.

Minister Kabbyanga emphasized that companies that have not reached 90% connectivity by the end of 2025 will not have their licenses renewed. “It is not an issue of where there is a market but the market should find the network in areas,” he stated. Furthermore, there are plans by NITA-U to provide public internet to communities in Bwera, while the government is embarking on phase 5 of the national backbone infrastructure project to ensure that every parish in the country has internet access. The Minister applauded President Yoweri Museveni for promoting an accommodative environment for investment which has enabled companies like ATC to support government efforts in promoting the citizens livelihoods through digital transformation.

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