Africa-Press – Uganda. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Aminah Zawedde, has said the Uganda–Japan UJ Connect project is strengthening digital skills and nurturing startups, positioning Uganda to compete in the global digital economy.
Zawedde noted that the initiative has significantly advanced human resource development, entrepreneurship and innovation, creating a steady pipeline of skilled professionals and market-ready digital solutions.
“This training comes at a critical time as we prepare the country for emerging technologies,” she said, adding that the project aligns with Uganda’s broader strategy to adopt new technologies, including artificial intelligence.
UJ Connect focuses on building ICT capacity, strengthening training institutions and supporting startups to commercialise their innovations.
Under its human resource development component, the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology has introduced short courses in web application development, data science and cybersecurity. Advanced training in artificial intelligence and data science is also being rolled out to equip professionals for emerging technology fields.
Zawedde said faculty capacity has been enhanced to deliver specialised training and mentor future instructors, ensuring the long-term sustainability of ICT education in the country.
To bridge the gap between skills acquisition and employment, the project launched the Business and Human Resource Matching Platform, known as BizLink. The platform connects ICT professionals with employers and global outsourcing opportunities, supporting talent registration, company partnerships and cross-border placements.
According to Zawedde, eight pilot offshoring projects have already been implemented through BizLink, integrating Uganda into the global digital outsourcing market.
UJ Connect is also strengthening Uganda’s startup ecosystem by supporting early-stage innovators. Through three mentorship cohorts, more than 60 entrepreneurs and student innovators have completed structured mentorship programmes, receiving technical guidance, business development support and proof-of-concept funding of up to $5,000 to scale and commercialise their solutions.
“We are building a pipeline where innovations are nurtured to reach the market and create employment opportunities,” she said.
The project promotes digital entrepreneurship and stronger industry linkages, enabling Ugandan innovators to access global markets.
Beyond measurable outputs, Zawedde emphasised broader gains, including a growing pool of skilled ICT professionals, stronger industry partnerships and increased innovation capacity—key pillars in building an innovation-driven economy powered by digital skills and startup growth.
