October 4, 2024, was a joyous moment witnessing a total of 119 vulnerable youth and adolescents from Kampala
slums graduate from the Digital Skills Training program after undergoing a rigorous training conducted by MUBS ICT Centre in collaboration with UNICEF Uganda.
The training started in May 2024 with a total of 274 participants organized in two cohorts to enable the vulnerable
youth to thrive in the digital era. The two cohorts of trainees include 62 males and 57 females bringing the total
number of graduates to 119. The graduates completed a five -month intensive training, mastering essential software
tools such as social media, data analytics, flyer designs, website development and design, infographics, coding and design.
The graduands were awarded with certificates from MUBS Annex Bugolobi The Director MUBS ICT Centre Mr. Charles Olupot noted that the public was amazed by the skills, stories, and digital creations presented by the learners. As MUBS, we are proud of the impact that the digital skills program has made on the lives of many vulnerable youths, and we are grateful to UNICEF for supporting the program. He applauded the graduates for successfully completing the training. Reflecting back to the Principal’s advise on the day when the training program was launched. Prof. Moses Muhwezi advised the young people not to allow the second chance given to them to miss them.
Quoting the Principal’s word ” you missed the first chance, do not let another chance miss you”. Mr. Olupotthanked the young people for heeding to Prof. Muhwezi’s advise. The Chief, Basic Education and Adolescents’ Development
UNICEF Uganda, Ms. Barno Mukhamadieva said digital skills are as important as foundation literacy skills and congratulated the graduates upon their achievement. She said the group is the first of its kind to graduate on digital skilling.
”This training is crucial because it targeted children who were outside of the formal learning process to enable them have access to basics”. She underscored the importance of the training because it comes at a time when the Government of Uganda has made the digital agenda strategy a priority. Young people play a big role in the economic development of Uganda so there is need for them to have access to digital information.
Meanwhile Mr. Ronald Ddungu, Principal Educational Officer, Ministry of Education and Sports said the digital skills training has produced responsible youth and better citizens. ” Thank you MUBS and UNICEF for organizing such trainings. I am glad to note that this training has put a lot of emphasis on responsible use of technology because it is paramount for the development of our country. He said It is important for everyone to be trained on proper use of digital tools. The digital agenda strategy that government has launched will guide trainings of this kind, both in schools and out of school. Mr. Ddungu also advised the graduates to use the skills they have acquired to change their communities to a better place to live in by using the skills they have acquired to create jobs like digital marketing, train other vulnerable children in their communities.
The Deputy Dean Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Geofrey Nkuutu who represented the Principal Prof. Moses Muhwezi said that in life there is always an opportunity and the training intended to give opportunity and hope to those who had lost hope in life. Be good ambassadors of MUBS as you go out, be an example of a life changing person, and use the skills to change your stories and communities.
Dr. Samali V. Mlay, Head of Department Applied Computing and IT said the training is to support the youth on digital skills that will help them survive in the current digital world. ” Welcome to Digital Citizenship. Use the skills you have acquired to protect yourselves from ICT related crimes”, she advised.