Ugandan President H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has launched the Huawei DigiTruck project in Uganda, which aims to provide free digital skills training to over 10,000 beneficiaries over three years. The launch took place on International Women’s Day in Kiruhura District and is part of Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative, which is focused on driving inclusion and sustainability globally.
President Museveni expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting that digital transformation is a key driver of human capital development. The DigiTruck project is aligned with Uganda’s national theme of ‘Equal Opportunities in Education, Science Technology for Innovation and a Gender Equal Future,’ and aims to prioritize beneficiaries such as youth, Jua-Kali, and women.
The DigiTruck project is being run in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development and an international social enterprise, Close the Gap. It is also aligned with Uganda’s 2040 vision, National Development Plan, and Education Digital Agenda Strategy, which aim to promote digital foundation skills, digital communications and information, digital transactions, online safety, civic responsibility, and data privacy. This will promote digitalization of the Informal Sector (Jua-Kali) enterprises for productivity and job growth in Uganda.
The Uganda DigiTruck project is focused on promoting digital literacy and skills among underserved communities in remote areas where there is no power and connectivity. The DigiTrucks are mobile classrooms mounted on trucks and fully solar-powered, making them easily accessible in remote areas. The 40-hour course trains students in digital literacy skills such as how to use devices, office software, and the Internet, as well as soft skills such as resume writing, applying for jobs online, and running an online business.
The DigiTrucks are connected by 4G and can accommodate up to 20 learners in one session. They are equipped with the Huawei IdeaHub smart screen, 21 Huawei smartphones, and 21 Huawei laptops, all of which run on solar power installed on top of the truck. The project is part of Huawei’s broader approach of building ICT skills capabilities in Uganda with its partners.
The Huawei DigiTruck project aims to transfer ICT skills to jua-kali enterprise owners in the four main regions of Uganda. It will enable people in the most rural areas of Uganda to obtain ICT Skills, boosting their already existing enterprises and ideas to tap into e-commerce platforms like marketing, etc. ICT is a key driver for economic empowerment, and with this project, Uganda can contribute towards narrowing the digital divide.
The launch ceremony was attended by H.E Janet Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education & Sports, H.E Jessica Alupo, The Vice President of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Monica M. Musenero. Minister Science, Technology and Innovation, Col. Rtd Okello P. Charles Engola, Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, and Gaofei, Huawei MD.
