Tells the youth to join government’s industrial hub in Masaka
Youth should take up leadership positions
Keep peace ,law and order
By Our Reporters
in Masaka and Bukomansimbi
The youth in Masaka and Bukomansimbi have been called upon to use the on-going UCC skilling program in Information and Communication Technologies (ITCs) and Multimedia as a stepping stone to upgrade their skills at the government industrial hub in Masaka city to create jobs and grow their businesses .
The call was made by the Deputy RCC Kimanya- Kabonera in Masaka district , Hajji Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi while addressing over 100 youth who are being skilled in the use of Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) and multimedia to start and grow businesses .
“ Learning is a continuous process and the use of ICTs to trade and market our products doesn’t require formal education but the youth can now use the on-going UCC skilling program to upgrade by joining the industrial hub set up by government in Masaka city .
The hub was set up to training and skill the youth in various craftsmanship for six months for free. I urge the youth to take up this opportunity to acquire new skills, create jobs for themselves and better their lives ,” Kateragga Musaazi stated .
The RCC commended the UCC and Prime Time Communications Ltd for skilling the youth the majority of whom are jobless- noting that the skills they will acquire will help them to start businesses and sustain their lives . “ This a good opportunity for the youth to use social media for productive work and market their products to a global audience ,” he added.
Musaazi also told the youth to maintain peace, keep law and order as they market their products and brands to local , region and international market on the various digital platforms .
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) rolled out a country wide skilling program for youth groups in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and multi-media.
The skills acquired will empower the youth to grow their business through the effective use of the various social media and digital platforms. Such digital platforms may include WhatsApp, TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, SnapChat, Teams/Zoom for virtual meetings
UCC through Uganda Communications Universal Service And Access Fund (UCUSAF) is set to enhance youths’ employability and self-sustainability by equipping them with ICT skills to enable them become competitive and better their livelihoods.
“This is planned to be done through training the youth in ICT multimedia production tools,” said Mr. Denis Jjuko a Director at Prime Time Communications Ltd one of the carefully selected companies that are delivering the trainings .
Some 500 youth will be skilled in the districts of Masaka, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Lwengo and Sembabule.
Jjuko explained that by creating and building capacity of the youth including young women to adopt ICT tools and applications in multimedia content production and related business processes will enable them to not only fully participate in Uganda’s economy but tap into regional and international markets .
“ We are in the digital era where young people and entrepreneurs should be at the top of their game when it comes to multimedia content production and storytelling skills. We are introducing the young people to a myriad of ICT platforms that provide access to markets and networking linkages while promoting their businesses and their talents,” he stated .
The skilling program will also enable the youth and including young women entrepreneurs to identify opportunities to access finance and markets to transition from micro enterprises to small and medium enterprises as enshrined in the National Development Plan III and UCUSAF strategy.
Participants are from diverse backgrounds and some have benefited from the on-going government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) in each of the five districts in central region.
“We are creating a circular economy for youth and women entrepreneurs by providing avenues through which they can market their enterprises with each other through networking to enable them to grow, “ Jjuko added.
Mr. Brian Matovu, Community Development Officer, thanked the UCC and Prime Time communications for delivering a relevant skilling program for the youth to realize their potential. He urged the youth to use their digital equipment including phones for productive purposes.
Uganda Communications Commission
UCC is mandated under the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 (Act) to monitor, inspect, license, supervise, control and regulate the communications services, and to improve communications services generally and ensure equitable distribution of services throughout the country;
Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) formerly (RCDF) was established in 2001 by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and according to Section 3(g) of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013, UCC to create and manage a fund dedicated to the development of Rural Communications and Information and Communication Technology within the country.
It was majorly setup to contribute to the realization of universality in access and use of communications services in Uganda through establishment of communications projects in areas that are non-commercially viable – left unserved or underserved by the market operations.
