By Mulengera Reporters
In a move to promote digital literacy in the informal sector, the government of Uganda developed the Digitization of the Informal Sector (Jua Kali) Enterprises for Productivity and Job Growth (Digi-Truck).
Launched on March 8, 2023 by President Yoweri Museveni in Kiruhura district, the project is steering to train at least 10,000 persons from the informal sector countrywide. Last Friday, 350 individuals graduated in Amuria district, after acquiring digital skills necessary for personal development and enterprise growth.
The Digi-Truck project is implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) in partnership with Huawei Technologies Uganda Co. Limited as the training agency. During the graduation ceremony held at Orungo sub-county in Amuria district on September 5, 2025, Mr Aggrey Kibenge, the MGLSD Permanent Secretary, urged the graduands to continue on the path of learning and become ambassadors of digital transformation.
“Your determination and hard work has brought you to this milestone today. By embracing digital literacy, you will take a significant leap toward securing a place in today’s highly dynamic business environment,” Mr Kibenge said, in a speech read by Mr Arthur Matsiko, a representative from the Department of Labour, Industrial Relations and Productivity. “Remember that knowledge and skills are powerful tools that will unlock endless possibilities.”
Mr Kibenge lauded government and Huawei for bringing the project to realization, and acknowledged the local leadership for mobilizing the beneficiaries. He added that skilling people at the grassroots with digital literacy empowers individuals and communities, thereby opening doors to new opportunities, enhance productivity and drive economic growth. All this, he said, is in line with the MGLSD’s mandate of mobilizing and empowering communities to harness their full potential.
Area Member of Parliament, who doubles as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Abubaker Jeje Odongo, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to utilize the gained skills to improve their enterprises and live a better life.
He lauded Huawei and the government for the Digi-Truck project that is continuously empowering citizens with digital mastery.
“I want to assure that these trainings will still continue to other parts of the country,” Gen Odongo said, and congratulated the first cohort from his home district for having successfully completed the month-long training.
The Ambassador of China to Uganda, H.E Zhang Lizhong, lauded President Museveni for accepting and personally launching the Digi-truck project that is helping in digitizing the informal sector.
“Diplomatic missions focus on building communities. China will continue strengthening collaborations with Uganda in the ICT and digitization of the economy,” he said, adding that last year, the government of China supported approximately 600 Ugandans to go to China and train in various skills.
In their message passed through a skit, the beneficiaries were thankful to the collaboration between the MGLSD and Huawei, and promised to utilize the acquired skills productively.
The trainees are hosted in a mobile truck, named ‘Digi-truck’, which hosts classes of 20 learners at a time. The truck is equipped with furniture, training equipment and air conditioning, while utilizing solar energy. As of today, the project has benefitted 8,192 people countrywide. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
