Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
Today, the Ministry of ICT signed a strategic Memorandum of Collaboration with the DFCU Foundation at innovation hub Uganda.This partnership represents a deliberate commitment to advancing Uganda’s digital transformation agenda by expanding access to devices for learners, innovators, entrepreneurs, and communities across the country, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital economy.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:The Ministry of ICT & National Guidance has signed a partnership with the dfcu Foundation to widen digital skilling, improve access to devices and support enterprise development across Uganda, as government continues to turn to private-sector collaboration to implement the country’s digital agenda.Permanent Secretary Aminah Zawedde said the agreement reinforces efforts to narrow gaps in connectivity, training and device access that continue to constrain digital adoption, especially in schools and regional innovation hubs.“Today is one of those moments that the Ministry of ICT and the Government of Uganda is witnessing through strengthening the partnerships that we have with the private sector,” Zawedde said. She added that while government sets national direction, “in terms of investment, in terms of aggressiveness and steering the direction, the private sector across the globe is the one that leads.”Zawedde highlighted device shortages as a critical constraint, noting that large schools often rely on a handful of computers. “A population of about 1,000 plus students with about 10 computers… each computer being shared by about 100 students,” she said. With Uganda’s median age at 16, she said most households cannot afford laptops, leaving many learners dependent on under-resourced labs. Under the agreement, dfcu Bank will supply 100 computers to the Ministry in an initial pilot. “We will start with 100 computers, it’s a pilot phase… we want to see how this works, how the beneficiaries will take this before we scale up to even bigger numbers,” said Helena Mayanja, dfcu Bank’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability. She said the bank refreshes devices for its 1,400 staff every three years, creating a pipeline for donations. “It’s a cost to us and entirely free for the Ministry.” Mayanja said the initiative aligns with the bank’s broader sustainability strategy. “This initiative reaffirms dfcu Bank’s commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous, and sustainable Uganda. By equipping the Ministry’s Innovation Hubs with computers, we are helping ensure that digital transformation reaches communities across the country, not only those in urban centers,” she said. “Technology creates real impact when it enables innovators, entrepreneurs, and young people to build resilient businesses, strengthen livelihoods, and create long-term opportunities for themselves and their communities. Through this partnership, we are proud to advance Uganda’s vision for a digitally skilled, inclusive, and sustainable economy,” she added.The dfcu Foundation will support the rollout by loading its SOMA e-learning platform onto all donated devices. The platform provides 15 self-paced modules on financial literacy, governance, entrepreneurship and business formalisation. Executive Director Mabel Ndawula said the training aligns with the Ministry’s priority areas. “Three of your priorities are the core of what this partnership is about digital infrastructure, digital skilling, and innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said. Ndawula added that the Foundation will work with the Ministry’s Innovation Hubs to customise enterprise training. “We can tailor-make what the businesses really need. We can’t just come and throw at them.” The Foundation will begin with a 100-day plan focused on assessing the needs of the 140 women-led digital businesses already connected to the Ministry. Ndawula said dfcu Bank will act as a financing partner for entrepreneurs who complete training. “You can have all the plans you have. If you don’t have the money, how are you going to execute it?”Zawedde said the Ministry will monitor impact and ensure accountability. “It is not just a matter of handing over computers and laptops. We need to see what the beneficiaries got out of this, so that we inform the basis and benefit of this MoU,” she said.Government plans to extend digital skilling through hubs established at Kabale, Soroti and Muni universities, with new sites planned in Busitema, Gulu and Fort Portal.Ndawula said the collaboration is intended to combine government reach with private-sector capacity. “This partnership unites the strengths of government and private sector with one shared goal: to unleash digital transformation and foster sustainable businesses in Uganda,” she said.
