A vibrant energy fills the Kapchorwa Community Hall in Kisenyi Sub-County as more than 100 young people sit attentively, eyes glued to their smartphones.
Guided by their instructors, the trainees follow each step with curiosity and determination. On this day, they are learning how to design marketing graphics using Canva, a free mobile design app that is opening new possibilities.
From choosing colors and fonts to combining images and layout styles, participants such as Elijah Cheptoek, who emerged the first runner-up in the training, eagerly embrace the creative process. What once seemed complicated now feels within reach as they craft personalized designs that reflect their growing entrepreneurial ambitions.
Among the standout trainees is Daniellah Cheptoyek, a general merchandise vendor committed to transforming her business. Motivated by the digital lessons, she now plans to use short videos and multimedia content to display her products. Instead of walking door-to-door, she envisions reaching customers across and beyond Kapchorwa through engaging online posts boosting sales without the exhausting travel.
Eng. Susan Nakanwagi, the UCUSAF Technical Manager
The program’s impact stretches into nearby villages. Trainee Deo Siya describes the experience as “eye-opening,” having discovered useful mobile apps he previously overlooked. As a photographer and event planner, learning to use Google Meet will enable him to collaborate with clients remotely, using live video to preview decor themes and photo concepts efficiently.
His colleague, Joshua,Chebet Kapsilut, who once used TikTok only for entertainment, now sees potential in becoming a social media influencer. Armed with new skills in videography, editing, and online branding, he is ready to turn his digital presence into a source of income.
Ms. Harriet Aseko, the Community Development Officer of Kapchorwa District applauded the trainees for their enthusiasm, noting that digital literacy has become an essential tool for young people seeking better economic opportunities using resources they already possess especially their smartphones.
Eng. Susan Nakanwagi, the UCUSAF Technical Manager echoed this encouragement. She urged the youth to put their skills to productive use, emphasizing the program’s purpose: empowering young people to overcome unemployment through digital innovation. She also announced plans to expand the digital skilling initiative to more underserved districts in the next financial year due to its remarkable success.
“Many young people have had smartphones for years but lacked the skills to use them meaningfully to improve their livelihoods,” she noted, sharing the example of a young woman whose piggery business flourished after she learned how to market digitally.
This training is part of a broader initiative by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), in partnership with Prime Time Communications. The program targets youths in five eastern Uganda districts of Kumi, Kapchorwa, Manafwa, Butaleja, and Kamuli with more than 500 young people set to benefit from the current rollout.
To date, nearly 1,400 youths in 13 districts in central and eastern Uganda will be equipped with practical ICT and multimedia skills. In the first quarter of 2026, the skilling program will be implemented in Butaleja and Kamuli districts where an additional 200 youths will be enrolled.
As the training concluded in Kapchorwa, three participants stood out for their exceptional performance: Joshua Baguma Kiplangat – Overall Winner, Elijah Cheptoek – First Runner-Up and Cherop Tauheed – Second Runner-Up. Their achievements reflect the spirit of innovation and resilience that the program seeks to ignite.
From designing digital posters to mastering virtual meetings and exploring social media, the youths of Kapchorwa and neighboring districts are stepping confidently into a digital future. Equipped with practical skills, they are unlocking new opportunities, boosting their incomes, and transforming their communities one smartphone at a time.
