Isahaq Maate | Tayari News
The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, and National Guidance, in partnership with the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U), has launched a digital skilling and literacy initiative in Kasese District, starting with providing computers and other digital devices for the project.
The five-year digital transformation roadmap targets various sectors, with a focus on improving service delivery and access to ICT services across Uganda.
During a handover ceremony held at Kasese district headquarters, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance donated more than 160 computers to town councils and government-aided schools in the district.
The devices are expected to boost ICT integration in education and local government operations, and to equip learners and civil servants with practical digital skills.
Hon. Kabbyanga Godfrey, Minister of State for ICT, said the move is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote digital skilling and literacy by equipping public institutions with the tools they need.
“We are implementing the five-year digital transformation roadmap, and one of the pillars of this roadmap is digital Skilling and literacy,” Kabbyanga remarked.
He emphasised that the government is committed to extending internet connectivity to every parish, sub-county, and district headquarters across the country, noting that reliable and affordable internet is central to Uganda’s digital agenda.
“In the next two years, we shall be having internet at every district headquarters in all the 145 districts in Uganda. He said. “But we shall also extend it to sub-counties and parishes,” he added.
Hon. Kabbyanga also highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce the cost of the internet, particularly for government institutions. He pointed out that the price of bandwidth for government entities has already been cut from 70 USD per Mbps to 35 USD per Mbps, and said further reductions are expected as infrastructure and coverage improve.
“Since we started expansion, our rates for data have reduced tremendously from $70 per Mbps to $35 per Mbps. But in the next two years, we want it to reach $5 per Mbps”.
While addressing the beneficiaries, Hon. Kitanywa Sowedi, Member of Parliament for Busongora North, urged recipient institutions to use the devices responsibly and protect them from misuse or illegal sale.
“These computers and devices belong to the government and are meant to serve the people,” Hon. Kitanywa said. “I appeal to all beneficiaries to ensure that they are properly used for service delivery, and not diverted for personal gain.”
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hon. Best Juliet Bakoko, the Town clerk of Ibanda–Kyanya Town council, thanked the government for the support and pledged that the devices would be put to proper use.
“We are grateful for this timely intervention,” she said. “I assure the Minister and the Ministry that these devices will serve their intended purpose in enhancing digital literacy and improving the efficiency of our services.”
Local leaders and education stakeholders in Kasese welcomed the intervention, saying it will help bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas and position the district to benefit more fully from national digital transformation efforts.