Refactory Academy Churns out 89 More Graduates in Digital Skills

89 individuals with no prior background in technology have graduated with tech skills after completing a six-month training program at the Refactory Academy.

Refactory is Uganda’s leading software development academy, bridging the gap between education and industry.

The graduation ceremony coincided with the premiere of the highly anticipated Digital Skills Showcase 2024 at the National ICT Innovation Hub, in Kampala.  The Showcase is part of a three-year program called Ten X, which aims to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy.

The event brought together over 300 attendees, including tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, policymakers, and educators, to celebrate the transformative impact of digital skills on Uganda’s economy.

Michael Niyitegeka, the Executive Director at Refactory Academy, said, “The Digital Skills Showcase is not just a celebration of talent but a call to action for all stakeholders to invest in skilling and innovation. Together, we can build a sustainable digital future that empowers individuals and transforms communities.”

The graduating cohort, which included women, youth, and persons living with disabilities from various professions such as hospitality and healthcare, completed training in areas including Foundations of Software Engineering, Python and JavaScript certificates, Data Science, and Machine Learning.

“Our primary focus is to enable as many young people, especially women from underserved communities, to access tech skills because when they do, their employability potential significantly increases,” Niyitegeka added.

The one-day event featured inspiring keynote speeches, dynamic panel discussions, and innovative project demonstrations by Refactory alumni and students. Highlights included breakthrough solutions aimed at addressing Uganda’s pressing digital challenges and interactive zones that fostered connections among key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem.

Benoni Katende, the Chief Technology and Enterprise Solutions Officer at NSSF Uganda and the Chief Guest at the Showcase said, “We can use technology to solve real-life problems, and that is when we will begin to see a difference. Find a problem that you can solve and use technology to address it. Let us adopt a problem-solving mindset and create solutions that are disruptive in nature, making them faster, cheaper, and better.”

Winfred Claire Nakamatte, a midwifery professional currently working with Laboremus Uganda, a software company, shared her journey: “A few months after completing my course in Midwifery, Refactory Uganda announced a call for young women to enroll in a one-year software engineering course. Encouraged by a friend, I applied, and was considered after passing the entry interviews. Today, I am very passionate about what I do and the change in career has positively impacted my life.”