By Mark Kawalya
The Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has introduced a hands-on initiative aimed at improving digital skills among civil servants in Mityana and Mpigi districts. KOICA is collaborating with Better World and the World Canaan Movement to implement this three-year program.
During the launch at Mityana District headquarters, Ms. Lee Kwiwoon, a senior manager at Better World & World Canaan Movement, emphasized that the project seeks to enhance efficiency among 247 targeted civil servants at district, subcounty, and town council levels. “Our goal is to strengthen accountability and build IT capacity among local government officials by utilizing the expertise of Korean volunteers,” she stated.
According to Ms. Kwiwoon, the initiative will involve 100 Korean volunteers, which include eight that are already deployed in January. These volunteers will be despatched in five separate groups, each working on-site for three months.
“The teams will conduct specialized IT training for government officials across various administrative offices. In addition, they will provide essential IT equipment and software to improve digital infrastructure,” she explained.
Beyond government institutions, the program will extend IT education to the wider community. Training will also be offered to farmers, children, and youth to help bridge the digital divide and boost digital literacy in both districts.
Ms. Martha Khabuya, KOICA’s Volunteer Program Manager, who represented the country director Ms. Jihee Ahn, highlighted that an initial needs assessment showed significant gaps in IT proficiency among civil servants.
“The survey revealed that many officials struggle with basic computer skills. For instance, parish chiefs have been provided with tablets to track the Parish Development Model, but many lack the skills to generate reports. Even those who claim to have IT knowledge only possess very basic skills,” she noted.
She further stated that the success of this pilot project could determine whether KOICA expands the program to other districts.
Mityana District Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Jackson Byaruhanga, welcomed the initiative and urged civil servants to take full advantage of the training to improve service delivery.
“Many of our employees still lack essential computer skills, yet learning to use a computer is straightforward. A change in mindset will help them acquire these skills quickly,” he remarked.
KOICA has been actively supporting Uganda’s development since 2010. The agency’s projects span multiple sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and capacity building. Recent efforts include funding for cancer treatment initiatives and support for Ugandan businesses aiming to enter the Korean market.
