3rd National ICT Job Fair. Prime Minister Commends Huawei for Massive Investments in the Sector.

Recently, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, while coordinating with Huawei Technologies Uganda announced the National ICT Job Fair for 2024 that was scheduled for 21st and 22nd November, 2024 at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Kampala.

 The occasion is purposed at bridging the gap between Uganda’s rapidly growing ICT sector and its talented youth as it provides a platform for networking, skills development, and job opportunities.

The theme for this year's ICT Job fair is,“Shaping Uganda's Digital Future: Bridging Skills, Innovation, and Opportunity,”

The Prime Minister said that the event is a testament to Uganda’s collective commitment to leveraging the transformative power of ICT to build a brighter future.

The theme is both timely and aspirational, she said. It underscores the critical role of ICT in unlocking opportunities for economic growth, empowering our youth, and positioning Uganda as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

“I commend the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for organizing this pivotal event. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to HUAWEI Technologies and other sponsors for their unwavering support and investment in Uganda’s ICT sector. Last week I flagged off the youth to China to be trained by HUAWEI Technologies in Artificial Intelligence. Your contributions are not only advancing our digital infrastructure but also inspiring innovation among our youth.”

She added that globally, ICT remains one of the fastest-growing sectors, offering boundless possibilities for those equipped with the necessary skills and tools. 

As a government, the prime Minister expressed how proud they are to have prioritized ICT as a pillar of the National Development Plan (NDP III) into (NDP IV) and integrated it into the vision for socio-economic transformation. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, skills development, and innovation, she said they are creating an enabling environment for ICT to thrive.

“Uganda is a young and vibrant nation, with over 85% of our population under the age of 35. This demographic presents an incredible opportunity to harness the energy, creativity, and talent of our youth in shaping our digital future. Already, the ICT sector employs over 1.3 million Ugandans, with its annual growth rate of 14.8% far outpacing the national GDP growth average. This signals the untapped potential for creating jobs, wealth, and technological solutions to our national challenges.”

The government established an ICT Innovation Fund in 2017 to support homegrown innovations and empower our young developers to create solutions for both public and private sector needs, she described. And noted how proud she is still that some beneficiaries of this initiative have already developed systems that are revolutionizing service delivery across Uganda e.g. Electronic Procurement System, PDM Management Information System, Education Management Information System, Online Business Registration System, Electronic Document Management System and many more.

This job fair is a vital platform that bridges the gap between students, young professionals, government and the private sector. It provides opportunities for employment, internships, mentorship, and skills enhancement in emerging technologies. She, however, urged the youth to fully utilize this forum to network, learn, and access the abundant opportunities available.

As there is still much to do. The government remains committed to addressing challenges in the ICT sector, such as reducing the cost of internet access, increasing digital device affordability, and expanding broadband connectivity to every corner of the country. These efforts will ensure that no one is left behind as they advance towards a digitally inclusive society.