By Mark Kawalya
Rowena Turinawe, the Head of Innovation and Digital Service at Centenary Technology Services, recently won the coveted “ICT Young Professional of the Year” award at the final of the inaugural Technology Information Confederation Africa(TICON) Africa Conference. The prestigious three-day event brought together the tech industry’s elite at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe.
The ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU) hosted the inaugural TICON Africa conference in Kampala with the goal of pushing Africa into the future with cutting-edge technology advancements. The goal of the event was to bring together ICT talent and open the door to more innovation on the continent.
The TICON Africa Awards 2023 winners were revealed at the conference’s grand finale, with the awards recognizing the extraordinary work of technology professionals who are instrumental in advancing Africa’s information technology landscape.
While commenting about her win, Turinawe said, “Innovation is more than just ushering in new technologies; it is about fostering a culture that embraces change, encourages inclusivity, and diligently works towards crafting a future where technology serves as a bridge to boundless opportunities. As we move through this digital evolution, my mission is to empower, uplift, and inspire the next generation of tech enthusiasts to create a Uganda that is connected and digitally proficient.”
Rowena Turinawe’s journey has been marked by devotion to her craft and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. She has also gone through the ups and downs of the ICT industry and collaborated with professionals in the field of digital transformation from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to create Uganda’s first digital transformation roadmap.
The Vice President of Uganda, H.E. Jessica Alupo and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) announced the Digital Transformation Roadmap on August 17, 2023, with the goal of utilizing technology to close digital divides, empower youth, and uplift underprivileged communities.
Turinawe has partnered with industry heavyweights like MTN Uganda as a result of her collaborative efforts, and via this partnership, she has been instrumental in the implementation of a national digital skilling program.
