By Mulengera Reporters
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, has warned that Uganda is sleepwalking into a digital disaster if urgent action isn’t taken to close the gender gap in ICT.
While speaking during the national commemoration of Girls in ICT Day at UICT Nakawa, Thembo sounded the alarm, saying too many girls are still stuck on the sidelines of Uganda’s digital transformation.
“Let’s stop pretending. We can’t build a serious digital economy if half of our population is being left behind. Girls don’t just need motivation, they need tools, skills, and real access to tech.”
The ED’s remarks followed UCC’s nationwide campaign that saw ICT skilling workshops rolled out in different regions, targeting young girls in both urban and rural schools.
Led by experts from Green bridge0 School of Technologies, the girls were introduced to coding, digital problem-solving, and innovation.
Hon. Thembo said the regional outreach wasn’t just a gesture but a deliberate strategy to make sure Uganda’s digital push reaches the last mile.
“From Arua to Gulu to Mbale and Mbarara, we went there. We trained them. We told them: you belong here.”
He also revealed disturbing findings from UCC’s 2020 study on children’s online experiences, which showed girls lagging behind boys in even basic digital skills. “These are not just numbers, they’re missed chances. And we can’t afford that any longer,” he said.
He also applauded the participation of two students with disabilities from Gulu High School who were supported with assistive tech through UCUSAF. “That’s what inclusion looks like. If we say no one should be left behind, we must mean it.”
His message echoed Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde’s message, that in the past, the village raised the child. Today, the internet is your village. Use it to learn, build and lead.”
As the country continues its digital shift, the UCC boss made it clear that the commission is not in the business of talking, but doing. “Let’s give our girls the chance to shape the future, not just be shaped by it.” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
