Uganda is steadily transforming into a digital powerhouse. Behind this evolution, companies like Huawei Technologies are playing a crucial role, not just in providing cutting-edge technology, but also in fostering sustainable development and digital inclusion through impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Bridging the Digital Divide with the DigiTruck Project
Imagine a classroom on wheels, powered by the sun, bringing digital literacy to the most remote corners of Uganda. That’s precisely what the Huawei DigiTruck project is all about. This innovative initiative, launched by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda, on March 8th, 2023, is a game-changer in bridging the digital divide.
The DigiTruck is a 40ft solar-powered mobile classroom, ingeniously repurposed from a shipping container. Equipped with 21 laptops and a reliable network connection, it’s designed to reach underserved communities where training facilities and power are scarce. The project offers free digital skills training, encompassing essential digital literacy (think internet use, office software) and crucial soft skills like resume writing, online job applications, and business registration.
With a focus on empowering women, young girls, youth, informal sector workers (Jua-Kali), and people with disabilities, the DigiTruck project has already impacted over 6,000 beneficiaries across multiple regions. The goal? To train over 10,000 Ugandans in three years, aligning perfectly with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan, which aims to transform the nation into a digital economy.
Hon. Denis Obua, Government Chief Whip, aptly put it: “ICT is no longer a luxury but a necessity. These skills will transform communities and fuel national development.” Huawei’s Deputy Managing Director, Gao Jian, echoed this sentiment, stating that through ICT, beneficiaries have become “architects of their own destinies.” The DigiTruck isn’t just about teaching digital skills; it’s about empowering individuals to shape their futures.
Nurturing Digital Talent with the LEAP Program
Formerly known as the Seeds for the Future program, Huawei’s Leadership, Employability, Advancement Possibility (LEAP) program is another cornerstone of their CSR efforts in Uganda. This flagship program, donated to H.E. Yoweri Museveni during his state visit to China in 2015, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of ICT leaders.
Since its inception in Uganda in 2016, the LEAP program has provided invaluable training opportunities to Ugandan students and professionals. To date, over 50 Ugandans have participated in physical trainings in China, while another 162 have completed the program virtually, earning valuable certificates.
In May 2024, a group of nine bright Ugandans were selected for the Seeds for the Future program and were flagged off, along with the ICT competition participants, by the First Lady, Maama Janet, to embark on a journey to Shenzhen and Shanghai in June 2024.
Later in the year, on November 12th, 2024, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, bid farewell to another five Ugandan participants as they set off to attend the 2024 Huawei LEAP digital talent training in Shenzhen, China.
These five individuals, chosen based on merit, joined other participants from around the globe to explore and participate in various trainings encompassing technology and innovation, Discovering Huawei, Leadership & Career Development, and insights into Traditional and Modern China.
The LEAP program isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about fostering leadership, enhancing employability, and creating opportunities for advancement in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Addressing Youth Unemployment Through the National ICT Job Fair
Youth unemployment is a significant challenge in Uganda, and Huawei is actively addressing this issue through the National ICT Job Fair. Partnering with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Huawei has been hosting this annual event since 2022. The 2024 edition, held on November 21st and 22nd at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Kampala, marked the third iteration of this vital initiative.
The National ICT Job Fair serves as a crucial bridge between Uganda’s burgeoning ICT sector and its talented youth. It provides a platform for networking, skills development, and, most importantly, job opportunities. The fair aims to be a catalyst for change, forging connections that lead to recruitment and career advancement.
In 2024, Huawei demonstrated its commitment by offering 11 internship positions, all of which have now transitioned into full-time employment within the company. Moreover, Huawei provided 500 free quotas for advanced ICT technologies training. By equipping young Ugandans with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed, Huawei is playing a pivotal role in tackling youth unemployment and driving economic growth.
Cultivating ICT Excellence Through the Huawei ICT Competition
The Huawei ICT Competition is a global initiative designed to encourage young talent to excel in the field of Information and Communications Technology. Through structured training, industry exposure, and competitive challenges, the competition drives digital transformation and helps the ICT talent ecosystem thrive.
The 8th Huawei ICT Competition 2023–2024 Global Final, held in Shenzhen, was a resounding success, attracting over 170,000 students from more than 2,000 universities and colleges across 80 countries and regions.
Uganda’s performance in the competition was truly remarkable, with Ugandan teams achieving significant victories:
- Grand Prize: Network Track Team 1 (Gulu University and Muni University)
- First Prize: Network Track Team 2 (Kabale University)
- Second Prize: Computing Track Team 1 (Muni University)
- Women In Tech Award: Network Team 2 (Kabale University)
These exceptional students were flagged off by the First Lady, Minister of Education and Sports of Uganda, Maama Janet K. Museveni, on May 16th, 2024, at State House Nakasero.
Their achievements were celebrated at the Huawei ICT Competition Awards Ceremony on December 23rd, 2024, presided over by Hon. John Chrysestom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education in Uganda. The students received gifts and awards worth forty million Ugandan Shillings, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the field of ICT.
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