Uganda, Japan Connect To Create 6,000 Jobs In ICT

A total of 6,000 jobs in the
Information, Communication, and
Technology (lCT) sector are
projected to result from the
ongoing Uganda-Japan (UJ)
Connect project, implemented by
the Ministry of ICT and National
Guidance in collaboration with the
Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA).

Dr Aminah Zawedde, the
Permanent Secretary of the ICT
Ministry, said UJ Connect is part of
the government’s digital
transformation roadmap.
Under this initiative, which began in
February, Ugandan businesses and
youth are matched with Japanese
companies to create employment
opportunities and enhance the
capacity of local innovators.

Mr Amos Mpungu, the principal
ICT officer at the Ministry, said
there is visible progress over the
past six months.
He highlighted the project’s four
pillars as policy, capacity building,
business matching, and startup
acceleration. The business
matching component has already
seen six Ugandan firms sign
contracts with Japanese
companies, which is expected to
increase job creation as the need
for more workforce arises.
Dr Zawedde reported that since
2022, a total of 539,900 Ugandans
have been employed, directly and
indirectly, through six key
innovations developed by
Ugandans.

These innovations include the
Business Registration System,
Integrated Health Information
Management System, Electronic
Document Record Management
System, Electronic Government
Procurement System, and the
Education Management
Information System.
These systems have improved
transparency, accountability, and
service delivery, generating
approximately Shs93.6 billion over
the last three years.
To further accelerate the ICT
sector, the National ICT Innovation
Hub in Kampala was revamped in
January 2022. The hub has since
hosted 49 innovators and
atrepreneurs, employing 321
individuals.

It provides infrastructure support,
including computers and internet
connectivity, along with mentorship
and business advisory services.
The hub has also conducted 122
training sessions, benefiting 9,666
participants, and supported more
than 500 bencficiaries through
mentorship and internship
programmes.
In addition, the government
established three regional ICT
Innovation Hubs at Kabale, Soroti,
and Muni universities, funded by
the National ICT Initiative Support
Progranmme.
These hubs support local
innovators with training and digital
skilling.

Two National ICT job fairs held in
2022 and 2023 opened up 10,163
opportunities for young people,
including jobs, internships,
apprenticeships, and scholarships.
The Digital Transformation
Roadmap, launched by President
Museveni in August last year,
outlines five pillars as
infrastructure, digital services,
cyber security, digital skilling, and
innovation and entrepreneurship.
Running from 2023 to 2028, the
roadmap aims to create 300,000
jobs as the government extends
internet connections to 600 health
centers and all 146 district
headquarters, empowering
individuals, businesses, and
communities to fully participate in
the digital economy.

Source: Daily Monitor