Huawei Technologies Uganda Company Limited in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has
successfully launched the National ICT Job Fair 2024, held at National ICT
Innovation Hub in Nakawa. The two-day event set for 21st and 22nd November, was
officiated by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and attracted over
thousands of participants, including fresh graduates, ICT professionals, industry
leaders, and key government and private policy makers, marking a significant
milestone in fostering innovation, skill development, and employment opportunities
in Uganda’s ICT sector.
Themed “Shaping Uganda’s Digital Future: Bridging Skills, Innovation and
Opportunity” the job fair provided a dynamic platform for participants to connect with
potential employers, gain insights from keynote speakers, and explore the latest trends
in technology. Over job opportunities and internships were showcased by leading
companies in the ICT industry, including Huawei Technologies.
The chief guest, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja the Prime Minister, upon arrival
inspected the different exhibition booths from the different companies that where
showcasing what they do and what opportunities they are offering to the youth in the
ICT sector of Uganda. In her opening remarks she highlighted the government’s
commitment and prioritization of ICT in its development plans for the socio-
economic transformation of the country. "Through strategic investments in
infrastructure, skills development and innovation, we are creating an enabling
environment for ICT to thrive," Hon. Nabbanja said, noting that ICT remains one of
the fastest-growing sectors globally, offering limitless opportunities and unlocking
opportunities for economic growth, empowers our youth, and positions Uganda in the
global digital economy. She thanked the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for
the strategic partnerships with key stakeholders like Huawei Technologies to bridge
the digital divide and skill mismatch gap to unlock the potential of our youth and
build a robust ICT ecosystem.
Senior officials from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, other government
line ministries, agencies and departments were present at the job fair. Hon. Dr. Chris
Bayromunsi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance in his key note address
pointed out that the ministry is charged with the mandate of driving digital
transformation in the country and ensuring technology benefits all Ugandans. “We
must invest in young people and make them an asset for the country, not a burden.”
said the honorable minister. Also, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT, Dr.
Aminah Zawedde pointed out the ministries’ goal of creating at least 30,000 direct
jobs related to the ICT sector. she went on and said “We are emphasizing innovation
and interpretation to get solutions that address the challenges facing the country.”
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong said that ICT is a key driver of
development. The industrial chain cooperation, one of the 10 partnership actions
announced by China during the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
held in September this year, includes plans for China and Africa to build a digital
technology cooperation center and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects, he said.
"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.
Mr. Ssali Gao, The Deputy Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Uganda in his
speech emphasized Huawei’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and
the industry. “At Huawei, we believe technology is a bridge to opportunity. They say
that thanks to technology, the world has become one small global village and I could
not agree more. In the near future, technology and ICT will be the backbone of every
industry in the world. This means that skilled personnel in these sectors will be highly
needed.” “This, ladies and gentlemen, is why we are here today, attending this ICT
job fair,” said Mr. Gao.
Attendees directly met and engaged with leading Ugandan institutions in the ICT
industry offering jobs, internships, and training exploring potential roles in areas such
as software development, data science, network engineering, and cyber security. The
skills development and training workshops provided hands-on sessions led by experts
from Huawei and other industry leaders which offered training in sought-after skills,
including coding, digital marketing, resume writing and AI applications. Furthermore,
esteemed speakers and panelists from government, academia, and the private sector
discussed trends, challenges, and future prospects in Uganda’s ICT landscape availing
connections with ICT professionals, innovators, and peers to explore partnerships and
collaborations.
Huawei Technologies Uganda Company Limited is a leading global provider of
information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices.
Operating in Uganda since 2001, Huawei is committed to innovation, collaboration,
and empowering communities through technology. The National ICT Job Fair is part
of Huawei Technologies global cooperate social responsibility initiative. The job fair
connects the students’ and young professionals ICT talent to the job opportunities in
Huawei ICT ecosystem.
