By Jane Namugula
To strengthen the ICT ecosystem in the country, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance signed a Memorandum of Unstanding/Record of Discussions with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance signed the deal on behalf of the government. Zawedde said: “We are determined to create an environment that nourishes ICT-centric innovation and generates new job opportunities for our young people. The partnership with JICA is one we are excited about.”
“We have seen the quality of superior support that JICA extends when they commit, the testimony can be seen in the elegance of the Source of the Nile bridge in Jinja or the almost complete flyover at Clocktower, among others. That depth of technical knowledge and expertise is what we have gotten this morning. “As the Japanese say, ‘Akarui Mirai, we have a ‘bright future in the sector,” she said.
The ROD aims to strengthen the ICT ecosystem and accelerate the creation of jobs for Ugandan youths. The Record of Discussions will achieve the framework for creating and enabling environments to support ICT acceleration; a digital skilling program to strengthen Uganda’s global competitiveness; business matchmaking between Ugandan companies and global ICT firms to create the business and driving Uganda’s long-term recovery and economic growth through an inclusive digital future.
Uganda has significant strengths in attracting BPO jobs; 30,000 young people graduate from university each year, the majority of whom are English speakers and ICT literate. Uganda’s population is set to double between 2020 and 2060, and there is a challenge of youth unemployment.
Uchiyama Takayuki, Chief Representative of JICA, said the partnership will also establish a platform to ease the discovery of young talent by foreign and local companies as part of the ministry’s commitment to creating jobs and supporting innovation in the digital sector.
The Japan Global Expertise Project will cut across the sector to support and train youth and innovators to attain skills and use BPO and the Innovation Council to create employment opportunities for youth.
The ICT industry in the country has also grown in the last 10 years, putting the country at an advantage in handling ICT jobs. The MOU is to further strengthen the ICT ecosystem and thereby accelerate the creation of jobs for Ugandan youth.
