The Government of Uganda, in collaboration with Chinese technology company Huawei Technologies, has inaugurated an ICT Hub in the Teso sub-region in Eastern Uganda. Known as the “Huawei Digitruck,” this initiative, launched earlier this year, aims to provide free digital skills training for over 10,000 people over the next three years.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, speaking at the launch event, emphasized that the Digitruck project would create sustainable job opportunities for individuals in the informal sector, enabling small business owners to participate in regional and national trade.
The program will be rolled out in phases, beginning with Katakwi, Amuria, and Kaperabyong districts and later expanding to cover all the remaining districts in the Teso sub-region.
Vice President Alupo commended Huawei for making ICT accessible to various segments of the population, including farmers, youth, women, girls, boys, and the elderly. She encouraged the youth to share the skills they acquire, emphasizing their role in achieving a multiplier effect. Additionally, she called on Huawei to establish an ICT resource center in Katakwi to ensure the program’s continuity and sustainability.
Alupo highlighted the government’s view of Huawei Uganda as a strategic partner in Uganda’s transformation, especially in areas like education through ICT.
She also urged Huawei to provide computer knowledge and skills to parish chiefs to support the success of the program known as PDM.
The Uganda DigiTruck project is a joint effort between the government, the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development, and the international social enterprise Close the Gap. It aligns with Uganda’s 2040 vision, National Development Plan, and Education Digital Agenda Strategy.
Maj. Godfrey Katamba, the RDC of Katakwi, emphasized that the program’s focus includes promoting digital foundation skills, digital communication and information, online transactions, problem-solving using the internet, online safety, civic responsibility, and data privacy. These efforts are expected to contribute to the digitalization of informal sector enterprises, leading to increased productivity and job growth in the country.
The DigiTruck program utilizes converted shipping containers as mobile classrooms mounted on trucks. These vehicles are fully solar-powered, enabling them to reach remote and underserved communities without access to training facilities or reliable power sources. Each 40-hour course covers digital literacy skills such as device usage, office software, and internet navigation, in addition to soft skills like resume writing, online job applications, and managing online businesses.
Connected via 4G, each DigiTruck can accommodate up to 20 learners per session and is equipped with Huawei IdeaHub smart screens, smartphones, and laptops, all running on solar power.
Gao Jian, Deputy Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Uganda, emphasized the strong partnership between China and Uganda. He praised the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries and the fruitful cooperation across various fields. He noted that projects like the DigiTruck exemplify Chinese companies’ social responsibility in Uganda.
Jian encouraged beneficiaries of the DigiTruck training to leverage their skills for e-commerce, online sales of agricultural produce, and employment opportunities.
