KAMPALA, Uganda – In partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Huawei Technologies Uganda has successfully hosted the 3rd National ICT Job Fair 2024. The two-day event, held at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, attracted over a thousand participants, including fresh graduates, ICT professionals, industry leaders, and key government and private policymakers.
The job fair, themed “Shaping Uganda’s Digital Future: Bridging Skills, Innovation and Opportunity,” provided a dynamic platform for participants to connect with potential employers, gain insights from keynote speakers, and explore the latest trends in technology.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja officiated the event, emphasizing the government’s commitment to prioritizing ICT in its development plans for socio-economic transformation. “Through strategic investments in infrastructure, skills development, and innovation, we are creating an enabling environment for ICT to thrive,” Nabbanja said.
Nabbanja also highlighted the importance of ICT in driving economic growth, empowering youth, and positioning Uganda in the global digital economy. She thanked the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for strategic partnerships with key stakeholders like Huawei Technologies to bridge the digital divide and skill mismatch gap.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Bayromunsi, noted that the ministry is driving digital transformation in the country to ensure technology benefits all Ugandans. “We must invest in young people and make them an asset for the country, not a burden,” Bayromunsi said.
Bayromunsi also emphasized the ministry’s goal of creating at least 30,000 direct jobs related to the ICT sector. He noted that the ministry is emphasizing innovation and interpretation to get solutions that address the challenges facing the country.
Huawei Technologies Uganda’s Deputy Managing Director, Ssali Gao, emphasized the company’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry. “At Huawei, we believe technology is a bridge to opportunity,” Gao said.
Gao also noted that technology and ICT will be the backbone of every industry in the world in the near future. He emphasized the need for skilled personnel in these sectors, highlighting the importance of events like the National ICT Job Fair.
The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of ICT in driving development. He noted that China and Africa plan to build a digital technology cooperation center and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects.
“With its continued growth, I believe the ICT sector can create more job opportunities for talented young men and women, greatly addressing their concerns and fostering digital inclusiveness,” Zhang said.
The National ICT Job Fair provided a platform for attendees to directly meet and engage with leading Ugandan institutions in the ICT industry, offering jobs, internships, and training. The skills development and training workshops provided hands-on sessions led by experts from Huawei and other industry leaders.
The event also featured esteemed speakers and panelists from government, academia, and the private sector, discussing trends, challenges, and future prospects in Uganda’s ICT landscape.
