The ongoing Uganda-Japan (UJ) Connect project, implemented by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is projected to generate 6,000 jobs in the Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) sector.
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary of the ICT Ministry, highlighted that UJ Connect is a critical component of the government’s digital transformation roadmap.
Launched in February, the initiative aims to create employment opportunities and strengthen the capabilities of local innovators by connecting Ugandan businesses and youth with Japanese companies.
According to Mr. Amos Mpungu, Principal ICT Officer at the Ministry, significant progress has been observed over the past six months.
He outlined the project’s four key pillars that included policy development, capacity building, business matching, and startup acceleration. The business matching initiative has already led to six Ugandan firms signing contracts with Japanese companies, further boosting job creation as demand for skilled workers grows.
Dr. Zawedde reported that since 2022, six major innovations developed by Ugandans have led to the employment of 539,900 individuals, both directly and indirectly. These innovations include the Business Registration System, Integrated Health Information Management System, Electronic Document Record Management System, Electronic Government Procurement System, and the Education Management Information System. Collectively, these systems have enhanced transparency, accountability, and service delivery, generating approximately Shs93.6 billion over the past three years.
To further propel the ICT sector, the National ICT Innovation Hub in Kampala was revamped in January 2022. Since then, it has hosted 49 innovators and entrepreneurs, providing employment for 321 people. The hub offers essential infrastructure support, such as computers and internet connectivity, along with mentorship and business advisory services. Additionally, it has conducted 122 training sessions, benefiting 9,666 participants, and supported over 500 individuals through mentorship and internship programs.
Moreover, the government has established three regional ICT Innovation Hubs at Kabale, Soroti, and Muni universities, funded by the National ICT Initiative Support Programme. These hubs focus on training and digital skills development for local innovators.
Two National ICT job fairs held in 2022 and 2023 have resulted in 10,163 opportunities for young people, including jobs, internships, apprenticeships, and scholarships.
The Digital Transformation Roadmap, launched by President Museveni in August last year, identifies five pillars: infrastructure, digital services, cybersecurity, digital skilling, and innovation and entrepreneurship. Spanning from 2023 to 2028, the roadmap aims to create 300,000 jobs by extending internet connections to 600 health centers and all 146 district headquarters, thereby empowering individuals, businesses, and communities to fully engage in the digital economy.
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