Uganda Launches National Digital Agenda Strategy and Expands Technical Institutes

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, launched the National Digital Agenda Strategy. This was at the handover ceremony for the expansion of nine technical institutes held at the Lugogo Hockey Grounds in Kampala on 22nd August 2024.

In her keynote address, Hon. Museveni emphasized the importance of education in Uganda’s socio-economic development, particularly for the country’s young population. “The National Census indicates that over 70% of Uganda’s population is below the age of 30,” she noted. “This youthful population needs to be well-prepared to contribute to a peaceful and prosperous future for our nation.”

The National Digital Agenda Strategy aims to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the education sector, ensuring that learning can continue under all circumstances. “There is no doubt that the use of ICT and the internet provides us with more robust tools to ensure education delivery can happen anywhere,” Hon. Museveni stated.

The Minister also highlighted the ongoing efforts to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Uganda. The nine technical institutes being expanded are strategically located across the country and focus on key trades such as electronics, agriculture, and manufacturing. “Government will continue to enhance its capacity to provide suitable alternative employment opportunities for Ugandan youth,” she assured.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has been a key partner in the TVET expansion project. Speaking on behalf of the IsDB, the Head of the Regional Hub in Kampala emphasized the Bank’s commitment to human development and Uganda’s Vision 2040. “By focusing on the practical needs of industries, our BTVET projects are designed to make youth more employable,” he said.

The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Jane Egau Okou, provided details about the expansion project and expressed confidence in the construction teams’ ability to deliver quality infrastructure. She also highlighted the significance of the Digital Agenda Strategy, which aims to enhance teaching and learning outcomes through digitally-enhanced curricula.

UNICEF, represented by Dr. Munir A. Safieldin, commended the Ministry for achieving this important milestone. “The Digital Agenda strategy outlines the vision of the Government of Uganda to embed information and communication technology in the teaching and learning process,” Dr. Safieldin said. He emphasized the need for strategic investments to harness Uganda’s demographic dividend in the digital economy.