By Mark Kawalya
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently engaged in discussions with a delegation from Huawei Technologies Uganda at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi. During the meeting, Huawei revealed their plan to launch a Digital Village Prototype in Uganda.
Hover Gao, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Region, explained that the project aims to showcase the transformative potential of digital infrastructure in rural communities. The Smart Village initiative will include Smart Classrooms, Learning Centers, Remote Diagnosis capabilities, and Smart PVs (Solar) without incurring any cost to the Ugandan government.
“Huawei is dedicated to accelerating Uganda’s digital advancement. We are fully prepared to fund a pilot smart village project that utilizes our cutting-edge technologies,” Gao stated. He also noted that the initiative aligns with Uganda’s national strategy for rural development, highlighting Huawei’s commitment to these regions.
President Museveni expressed his strong support for the project, stating, “Please proceed with the project, and I will personally commission the smart village.” Ms. Sooma Mukyala Fouziya, Public Relations Manager of Huawei Technologies Uganda, informed the President that Butaleja District has been selected for the pilot project. She emphasized the project’s potential to contribute to the Parish Development Model (PDM) by promoting digital transformation and sustainable growth through ICT.
“This Smart Classroom will offer students enhanced educational opportunities, improve self-learning, and foster better information sharing and communication among residents,” said Ms. Fouziya. She also mentioned that the initiative will implement a Remote Diagnosis System to connect village health centers with national and regional hospitals, thereby improving healthcare in rural areas. Additionally, the project will provide Green Residential Smart PVs to ensure reliable power for residents.
Ms. Fouziya outlined Huawei’s “One Country, One Network, One Cloud, One Platform” strategy, which aims to inspire further investment and collaboration towards a smarter and more connected Uganda. “By demonstrating the benefits of a unified digital ecosystem, we hope to attract more investment and partnerships,” she added.
“This project will serve as a model for future smart village initiatives across the country, showcasing how technology can transform lives and drive sustainable development while minimizing financial strain on the government,” she said.
At the end of the meeting, Huawei presented a plaque to President Museveni as a token of their commitment to the Digital Village Prototype initiative. The meeting was also attended by several Ugandan ministers and officials, including the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, and the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi.
