The Uganda-Japan (UJ) Connect project, spearheaded by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is set to generate 6,000 jobs in Uganda’s Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) sector.
This initiative, which aligns with the government’s digital transformation roadmap, is facilitating employment opportunities by connecting Ugandan businesses and youth with Japanese companies. Since its inception in February, the project has already seen significant progress, including business contracts between six Ugandan firms and Japanese partners, laying the groundwork for increased job creation.
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the ICT Ministry, emphasized that the UJ Connect project is a critical component of Uganda’s broader strategy to harness digital technology for economic development. “UJ Connect is not just about job creation; it’s about empowering Ugandans, particularly the youth, by providing them with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital economy,” she noted during a recent briefing.
The project is built on four key pillars: policy formulation, capacity building, business matching, and startup acceleration. The business matching component has already started yielding results, with six Ugandan firms securing contracts with Japanese companies. These partnerships are expected to drive demand for skilled labor, contributing significantly to the creation of the projected 6,000 jobs.
Highlighting the broader impact of digital innovations, Dr. Zawedde revealed that since 2022, six key ICT innovations developed in Uganda have led to the employment of 539,900 Ugandans. These innovations include the Business Registration System, Integrated Health Information Management System, Electronic Document Record Management System, Electronic Government Procurement System, and the Education Management Information System. Together, these systems have enhanced service delivery, transparency, and accountability, generating approximately UGX 93.6 billion over the past three years.
Further driving the sector’s growth, the National ICT Innovation Hub in Kampala, which was revamped in January 2022, has become a crucial incubator for local talent. Since its reopening, the hub has hosted 49 innovators and entrepreneurs, providing them with necessary infrastructure, such as computers and internet connectivity, along with mentorship and business advisory services. This support has led to the direct employment of 321 individuals.
The hub has also played a pivotal role in skills development, conducting 122 training sessions that have benefited 9,666 participants. Additionally, over 500 individuals have received mentorship and participated in internship programs, further boosting their employment prospects.
To ensure that innovation and digital skills development extend beyond Kampala, the government has established three regional ICT Innovation Hubs at Kabale, Soroti, and Muni universities. These hubs, funded by the National ICT Initiative Support Programme, offer training and support to local innovators, helping them develop and scale their ideas.
In tandem with these initiatives, the government has also hosted two National ICT Job Fairs in 2022 and 2023, which together opened up over 10,000 opportunities for young people, including jobs, internships, apprenticeships, and scholarships.
The UJ Connect project aligns with the Digital Transformation Roadmap launched by President Yoweri Museveni in August 2023. This roadmap outlines five strategic pillars: infrastructure development, digital services, cybersecurity, digital skilling, and innovation and entrepreneurship. The roadmap’s ambitious goal is to create 300,000 jobs by 2028 through the extension of internet connectivity to 600 health centers and all 146 district headquarters, thereby enabling widespread participation in the digital economy.
As Uganda continues to strengthen its ICT sector, the UJ Connect project serves as a testament to the power of international collaboration in driving economic growth and providing new opportunities for its citizens.
