In a substantial stride towards addressing youth unemployment in Uganda, tech giant Huawei Technologies has once again joined forces with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. The collaborative effort manifested in the form of the 2nd annual ICT Job Fair held at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The fair seeks to bridge the gap between eager young job seekers and the burgeoning opportunities within the ICT sector, a sector ripe with potential to propel economic growth across various domains.
The National ICT Job Fair, themed “Navigating the Digital Horizon,” spanned two days and served as a conduit for youth to engage directly with potential employers. It unveiled a spectrum of employment prospects, internships, apprenticeships, and training programs within the effervescent ICT sector.
The fair, inaugurated by the President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also saw the launch of an ambitious initiative by Huawei to provide 15 internship positions and 500 advanced ICT technology training slots for the attendees, free of charge.
The overarching motive behind this collaboration stems from the dire need to tackle youth unemployment in Uganda.
The ICT sector, with its vast scope, stands as a potent solution to this issue. The fair reflects a shared vision among the Ugandan government, Huawei Technologies, and other stakeholders, to foster a conducive environment for the youth to thrive professionally and contribute to the nation’s economic fabric.
The initiative also underscores Huawei’s enduring commitment to nurturing ICT talent, thereby aiding Uganda’s digital transformation journey.
What They Said
President Museveni lauded Huawei’s enduring partnership, recounting the significant strides made since Huawei’s inception in Uganda in the early 2000s. He emphasized the integral role of digital innovation in enhancing efficiency, and expressed his advocacy for digitizing government processes.
Vice President H. E Jessica Alupo, alongside other dignitaries, extolled the collaborative efforts of Huawei, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development. She reminisced about the launch of the digital transformation Road Map, marking it as a significant milestone.
The Charge d’affaires ad Interim of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda, Mr. Fan Xuecheng, applauded Huawei’s substantial contribution to Uganda’s economic ascent. He reiterated the objective of supporting growth through quality ICT infrastructure, and highlighted the employment of a substantial number of Ugandans within Huawei Technologies.
Mr. Sunrise, the Managing Director of Huawei Uganda, elucidated on the tangible opportunities provided through the ICT Job Fair, expressing his optimism on the significant impact ICTs will have on Uganda’s economic development and the well-being of its people.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, recognized the pivotal role of ICT in ameliorating the unemployment scenario, which he described as “a big challenge.” He stressed the importance of investments in ICT infrastructure to propel the sector forward.
