By Mulengera Reporters
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, led the country in commemorating this year’s International Girls in ICT Day, on April 24, a powerful reminder of the urgent need to put girls at the forefront of Uganda’s digital transformation.
The event which was held at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) in Nakawa, brought together key stakeholders in government, education, and innovation to promote the active participation of girls and young women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in her keynote address, described the day as a national call to ensure that the county’s digital future is inclusive, equitable, and led by all, especially the girls.
“Girls should not be passive users of technology. We must equip and support them to be innovators, leaders, and change-makers,” she emphasized.
Zawedde also highlighted efforts by the government and UCC to drive this mission through digital skilling programs, the expansion of innovation hubs, and university incentives targeting girls pursuing STEM courses.
The theme “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” perfectly reflected the ongoing national agenda as outlined in Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap.
UCC’s strategic involvement in building digital capacity through community outreach and skilling initiatives was central to the day’s message.
Several schools including Kitante Hill School, Trinity College Nabbingo, Nabisunsa Girls’ Secondary School, Kibuli Secondary School, and Our Lady of Good Counsel S.S.S Gayaza participated in the day’s activities, showcasing talent and enthusiasm among Uganda’s next generation of tech-savvy girls.
Zawedde moved the crowd by suggesting that while celebrating girls, there’s also a need to recognize and support boys, whom she said are not receiving the attention they deserve.
She went on to urge the young female generation to take advantage of global access to information, saying, “In the past, the village raised the child. That village was our Google. Today, the internet is your village. Use it to learn about the world and innovate.”
Dr. Zawedde cited an example of Hon. Sekitoleko, a former agriculture minister who once joked that African women spend too much time mingling posho, adding that if someone built an app for that, we’d save time and energy.
Closing the day’s celebration, the Permanent Secretary called on girls to use technology responsibly, emphasizing cyber safety and the importance of ethics in the digital space.
“Stay informed. Stay safe. Use ICT to uplift, not to harm yourselves and others. The future is digital, and you belong in it,” she said.
As Uganda continues to position itself as a regional digital leader, the UCC remains firmly committed to ensuring that no girl is left behind in the country’s journey toward innovation, inclusion, and empowerment through ICT. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
