MTN Foundation Empowers 407 Youth and Women with Digital Skills in Northern Uganda

The MTN Uganda Foundation has marked a significant milestone by graduating 407 youth and women who participated in its digital and financial literacy program. This initiative, conducted in the northern Ugandan districts of Pader and Lamwo, is designed to enhance digital inclusion and equip participants with crucial skills for the digital economy.

The three-week intensive training utilized the MTN Internet Bus, a mobile educational facility that brings computers, internet access, and practical digital skills directly to underserved communities. This approach tackles the persistent barriers of limited access to technology and digital literacy often faced in rural areas, thereby unlocking opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.

This recent graduation ceremony represents the second under the sixth phase of the Digital Literacy Programme, a collaborative effort between the MTN Uganda Foundation and the Maendeleo Foundation. Since 2022, the program has reached over 7,000 individuals across Uganda, with a remarkable completion rate exceeding 90%.

Peter Ochen, General Manager of Financial Operations at MTN Uganda, emphasized that true digital inclusion goes beyond mere access to technology. “Trainees also need the skills and confidence to use it productively,” he stated. The curriculum covered fundamental computer operations for business, safe internet usage, artificial intelligence basics, and financial literacy, including money management and secure digital financial services.

Graduates like Gloria Ayaa and Erick Akena shared how the program has significantly improved their digital and financial management capabilities, expressing plans to leverage these newfound skills for personal and professional growth. The event also featured a skills competition, with four top performers receiving digital devices to foster continued learning and connectivity.

Local leaders, including Moses Mwaka, LC V Councillor for Atanga Town Council, highlighted the critical role of digital skills in Uganda’s national development ambitions, particularly in achieving the economic transformation goals outlined in the Fourth National Development Plan.

Graduates are encouraged to continue their learning journey through the MTN Skills Academy and explore further opportunities via MTN ACE, reinforcing the program’s commitment to sustained digital empowerment.

Source: Nile Post