Empowering Butaleja’s Youth: Digital Skills Paving the Way for Jobs, Innovation, and Economic Growth

Empowering Butaleja’s Youth: Digital Skills Paving the Way for Jobs, Innovation, and Economic Growth

By Gloria Kembabazi

Located in eastern Uganda, Butaleja District is predominantly rural, with agriculture serving as the backbone of its economy. The district is widely recognized for rice cultivation and small-scale farming, with many households relying on agribusiness, petty trade, and informal enterprises for their livelihoods. Like many rural districts, Butaleja faces persistent challenges, including youth unemployment, limited access to markets, and low levels of digital literacy. However, targeted digital empowerment initiatives are steadily transforming opportunities for young people in the area.

Currently, Hope Guest House Hall in Nanyuru Sub-County is hosting more than 140 young participants under the Skilling Youth Groups in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Multimedia initiative. The ongoing training is bringing together ambitious young people who are eager to strengthen their digital competencies and expand their economic opportunities. Equipped with smartphones and guided by experienced facilitators, participants are actively engaging in practical, hands-on sessions designed to build market-relevant digital skills.

A key highlight of the training was learning how to design marketing materials using Canva, a free and accessible mobile design application. Through hands-on guidance, participants learned to select appropriate color schemes, fonts, images, and layouts to create professional promotional content. What initially appeared complex quickly became manageable, as trainees gained confidence in producing personalized marketing materials tailored to their businesses and aspirations.

Eng. Susan Nakanwagi, the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) Technical Manager at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering young people through digital innovation. Speaking on behalf of the UCC, she encouraged the youth to put the skills they had acquired to productive use, reminding them that the ultimate goal of the programme is to tackle unemployment by enabling young people to create opportunities for themselves.

She cautioned participants to be responsible digital citizens, emphasizing that “the internet never forgets.” She urged them to be mindful of the content they create and share online, noting that their digital footprint can either build or damage their personal and professional reputations. At the same time, she encouraged them to become ambassadors of knowledge within their communities by sharing the skills they had gained with peers who were unable to attend the training.

Eng. Nakanwagi also advised the youth to make prudent use of mobile money and digital financial services, particularly loan facilities accessible through their phones. She stressed the importance of borrowing responsibly, investing funds in productive ventures, and ensuring timely repayment to build financial credibility and sustainability.

The training forms part of a broader initiative by UCC through the UCUSAF, in partnership with Prime Time Communications. The programme targets youth in five districts in eastern Uganda —Kumi, Kapchorwa, Manafwa, Butaleja, and Kamuli—with more than 500 young people benefiting from the current rollout.

Among the participants is Tom Wapaha, who operates a stationery and library business offering photocopying, printing, and typing services. With a strong entrepreneurial drive, Wapaha embraced the digital design sessions and rapidly developed skills to enhance his business visibility. By applying these new competencies, he is now better positioned to market his services professionally and compete more effectively within the local market.

Equally inspiring was Judith Nahibiga, a Senior Six student utilizing her vacation period to acquire practical skills. Determined to strengthen her entrepreneurial pursuits, Nahibiga plans to leverage digital platforms to create short promotional videos and multimedia content showcasing her products and services in future. Rather than relying solely on physical outreach, she envisions reaching broader audiences within and beyond Butaleja through strategic online engagement, thereby reducing operational costs and increasing her income potential.

Beyond graphic design, the training introduced participants to essential digital tools for communication, branding, and collaboration. Sessions on platforms such as Google Meet demonstrated how virtual engagement can facilitate business consultations, client interactions, and professional networking without the need for travel — saving both time and resources.

Ms. Lydia Nabirye, Senior Community Development Officer of Butaleja District, encouraged participants to extend the benefits of the training to their peers and communities. She emphasized that the acquired digital skills empower young people to apply for jobs online, participate in virtual interviews, and access information and services more efficiently.

In his remarks, Mr. Apollo Hibombo, the Principal Assistant Secretary of Butaleja District, urged the youth to translate their newly acquired knowledge into tangible economic outcomes. He highlighted the importance of leveraging digital innovation to strengthen businesses, enhance community development, and contribute to national progress. He further underscored that embracing digital transformation is critical to unlocking sustainable economic growth and creating meaningful employment opportunities for the next generation.

Prime Time Communications has previously worked with UCC through UCUSAF to deliver similar training to over 1,500 youths in 14 districts in central and eastern Uganda.  An additional 100 youths will receive the training in Kamuli District.

As digital literacy continues to expand in Butaleja District, initiatives such as this ICT and multimedia training are not only equipping young people with technical skills but also laying a solid foundation for inclusive economic growth, innovation, and long-term community transformation.