Government Told to Prioritize Access to Digital Devices

Government has been asked to prioritize democratizing access to digital devices and infrastructure to enable young people acquire digital skills and participate in the digital economy.

Micheal Niyitegyeka, Director at Refractory, emphasized that digital skills are becoming a basic requirement for most jobs in Uganda, not just in the formal sector but also in the informal sector.

“Digital skills are going to become a bare minimum for most of the jobs that are within the formal sector, but also in the informal sector, even if you want to set up your own business,” Niyitegyeka told journalists at the Refractory digital skills showcase and certificate award ceremony held on Thursday at the National ICT Hub Nakawa.

He noted that less than 10% of the population has access to a laptop, and most of these devices are work-related or owned for personal prestige.

“At a national level, we need to have the attitude of how do we enable as many young people to access devices? Once you democratize access to devices and people can access, then even the internet costs will significantly go down because you now have economies of scale,” Niyitegyeka said.

The event was part of the 2025 Digital Skills Showcase, a national platform highlighting the rising wave of young innovators shaping Uganda’s digital economy. 

This year’s edition, themed “Build Bold Digital Futures,” showcased 20 digital projects developed and executed in teams, spanning Refactory’s range of courses, including Python, JavaScript, Data Science and Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Product Design.

61% of the presenters were young women, exhibiting their work through the 10X Program. 

A total of 504 graduates of the Refactory-10X Program were recognized for completing their advanced digital skills training, with 450 being young women and 21 persons with disabilities.

The event featured two Master Classes, live coding challenges, and a Talent Lounge connecting employers directly to skilled graduates. 

The 10X Program aims to equip over 60,000 young women with digital skills and connect more than 46,000 youth to dignified work over the next three years.

The program is delivered by Outbox (U) Ltd and the United Nations Capital Development Fund in collaboration with Refractory and Women in Technology Uganda, and supported by the Mastercard Foundation.