Kamuli youth equipped with digital skills through UCC’s ICT training initiative

By Sierra Ruth Arinaitwe

At least 112 youth in Kamuli District successfully completed a week-long digital skills training under the Skilling Youth Groups in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Multimedia programme, an initiative aimed at equipping youth with practical technology skills for entrepreneurship, employment, and personal development.

The training, held from 2 to 6 March 2026, brought together participants from across the district to learn how digital tools can be harnessed to create opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy. The programme focused on strengthening participants’ capacity to use information and communication technologies productively for business growth and development.

The sessions opened with an overview of the growing importance of digital skills in modern economies. Participants were introduced to the ways smartphones, internet platforms, and digital applications can support innovation, expand market reach, and improve communication for small businesses. Trainers also emphasized responsible and productive use of digital platforms.

As the training progressed, the youth received practical knowledge in videography and mobile video editing. Using smartphones, participants learnt how to capture high-quality footage and edit content using popular mobile applications such as CapCut and KineMaster. The sessions highlighted how digital storytelling and video content can be used to promote products, market services, and share community stories online.

Participants were also introduced to the fundamentals of graphic design. Through hands-on exercises, they learnt how to create posters, social media graphics, and promotional materials using accessible digital platforms including Canva and PosterMyWall. Trainers demonstrated how such tools can help entrepreneurs and community groups effectively promote their businesses online.

The programme further exposed participants to emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and their practical applications. The youth explored tools such as ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini, learning how these platforms can support research, communication, and content creation.

A highlight of the training was an interactive session with Mutesi Mackiline, a popular TikTok content creator from the Busoga region. She encouraged the youth to start small but remain consistent and honest when promoting their businesses online. Mackiline also urged participants to practice responsible content creation, warning that engaging in online conflicts or harmful content could damage their reputation, noting that “the internet never forgets.”

Beyond digital production, the programme included a financial literacy session facilitated by Mr. Joel Wamono of Pearl Bank Uganda. During the session, participants were introduced to key financial management principles such as saving, responsible borrowing, and financial planning. He encouraged the youth to cultivate a saving culture and to use credit strategically to support business growth and long-term sustainability.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Moses Mitala, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Kamuli District, urged the participants to fully embrace the opportunity to acquire new skills. He emphasized the importance of responsible digital engagement and cautioned against the spread of misinformation, encouraging the youth to verify information before sharing it online.

The training concluded with a certificate-awarding ceremony recognizing participants for successfully completing the programme. Addressing the trainees, Mr. Museebe Micheal, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Kamuli, encouraged them to apply the knowledge they had acquired and to share their skills with other young people in their communities. He noted that expanding digital literacy at the grassroots level can unlock new opportunities and contribute to community development.

This Skilling Youth Groups in ICT and Multimedia programme was supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), in partnership with Prime Time Communications.

To date, Prime Time Communications, working with UCC through UCUSAF, has delivered ICT and multimedia training to more than 1,500 young people across 15 districts in Central and Eastern Uganda. The initiative forms part of ongoing national efforts to empower young Ugandans with practical digital skills, enabling them to participate more effectively in the digital economy and use technology as a tool for social and economic transformation.