The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has 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 .
Mr. Denis Jjuuko addressing the participants at the on-going youth skilling program
“ 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 .
Empower youth including young women with the skills they need to effectively use multimedia platforms and ICT applications to create and transform their businesses and promote their talents
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.
