By Emmanuel Okol
KATAKWI: The government together with Huawei Technologies has certified a total of 1168 beneficiaries with digital skills through the Huawei Digitruck project in Teso sub-region, Eastern Uganda.
The beneficiaries, drawn from all 11 districts of the region, included the youth, farmers, and local district officials.
Their colorful graduation ceremony was presided over by Vice President Jessica Alupo at Katakwi district headquarters yesterday.
It was also graced by ministers, MPs, district chairpersons, and resident district commissioners of all the participating 11 districts of the Teso subregion.
In her speech, the Vice president lauded Huawei for demystifying ICT by making it all-inclusive to farmers, youths, women, young girls, the elderly, and other categories.
She appealed to graduates to be generous with the skills acquired to achieve a multiplier effect and also use the acquired skills to participate in commercial agriculture.
She said the government considers Huawei Uganda as a strategic and important partner in the transformation of Uganda.
Alupo explained that the Uganda DigiTruck project is aligned with the country’s 2040 vision, National Development Plan, and Education Digital Agenda Strategy all aimed at transforming the East African state into a digital village.
The tech giant Huawei Technologies DigiTruck project in the Teso Sub-region has equipped over 1000 youth, women, Jua-kalis, local district officers, etc. with digital skills to enable them to engage in e-commerce and market their produce since October 2023 when this project was launched in the region and completed in January 2024.
Alupo asked the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development to provide ICT equipment for the youth who have been equipped with these skills so that they can practice constantly and to include sensitization programs for them.
H.E Jessica Alupo lauded Huawei Uganda for introducing ICT Talent Development to the Teso sub-region. She concluded, “I would like to thank the team from Huawei Uganda for ensuring that the skills from the Huawei ICT Talent Development program like the DigiTruck program reach the over 1100 beneficiaries in the 11 districts in this sub-region”
Hon. Rose Lilly Akello, the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity “I want to thank Huawei for giving support to the people of Uganda through ICT skilling under its ICT Talent Development programs, we appreciate this program of the Huawei DigiTruck.”
Hon. Rose proceeded with a message for the youth in these words, “whatever skill or talent you have got from this program, please use it well, do not use these skills recklessly. Tomorrow, you will be leaders of this nation, let us use the skills to develop ourselves and the society.”
Mr. Hillary Businge who spoke on behalf of Mr. Kibenge the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development in his remarks stated, “Today, we witness the genesis of a transformative journey with Huawei Uganda as we award the DigiTruck beneficiaries of Teso sub-region.” He also congratulated the graduates from the Teso sub-region for such a milestone as they are the reason everyone present was gathered in one place to celebrate the beneficiaries.
He continues in the remarks that, “...this symbolizes our collective determination to ensure that no one is left behind in harnessing prosperity during this digital era.”
In his speech, he concluded by extending gratitude to Huawei Technologies Uganda for their invaluable support and dedication toward this endeavor. Adding to his conclusion, he added that Huawei’s expertise and resources have been very instrumental in making this project a reality.
Huawei Uganda’s Subsidiary Board Director, Mr. Yi Junsong (Jason) stated that the DigiTruck project is part of the Huawei TECH4ALL initiative which aims to drive digital inclusion and sustainability across the globe.
“The DigiTruck has trained 1,139 Ugandans from the Teso sub-region which is almost double the pre-planned numbers of 600 beneficiaries from the sub-region, all thanks to H.E Jessica Alupo and the local leadership of the Teso sub-region who worked together with us closely to ensure 11 districts in Tesoare completed by this month.”
Mr. Jason says, “We hope that the beneficiaries from this cohort can use these skills to improve livelihoods and that society of the Teso sub-region.”
Mr. Jason concluded by thanking the Guest of Honor who is the Vice President of Uganda H.E Jessica Alupo for her continuous support towards such developmental activities to the people of Teso and Uganda at large. He also appreciated the partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development and the local leadership in Tesosubregion towards supporting this good cause.
