A bunch of market sellers in Kampala learned digital skills through a special training program. The total came to 851 vendors who finished classes meant to bring modern tech into old-style markets across the city. These local business folks picked up important computer abilities they can use every day at their stalls. Several groups worked together to make this happen - the ICT Ministry joined forces with MTN Uganda Foundation and Huawei Uganda to reach people in places like Kamwokya Market and Port Bell Market.
Men made up most graduates, with 493 people, or about 58%, compared to women, who counted 358 participants or 42%. These market vendors can use their new knowledge to work faster, find more customers, and handle money better through their phones. Take Jane Nakitto, for example - this 57-year-old lady sells colorful fabric at Port Bell Market. She recently started using her phone to track sales and accept digital payments, which amazed her children, who never thought she could master such tech.
The pandemic really pushed these changes forward when lockdowns forced everyone to figure out online business methods. Many sellers realized they needed digital skills just to stay afloat during those tough times. Dr. Aminah Zawedde from the ICT Ministry sees this program as a perfect example of Uganda's bigger plans for bringing technology to regular people. The training helps everyday citizens earn more money through simple digital tools, which fits perfectly with national development goals.
MTN brought something clever to this program - mobile classrooms that drive right to the markets. Instead of asking busy vendors to travel somewhere for lessons, these digital buses park where people already work. Each bus comes fully equipped with computers, internet access, and teaching screens. Inside these rolling tech centers, market folks learn basics from using smartphones to handling online banking and marketing their products through apps. The teachers make sure everything directly applies to selling goods at market stalls.
Robert Okello sells produce at Kamwokya Market and has done this work for over twenty years. He started using WhatsApp to contact all his suppliers at once rather than making separate phone calls. This saves him time and helps him find better prices by comparing offers quickly. Esther Namuganza sells handmade baskets and created a photo collection on her phone showing her best work. She shares pictures through WhatsApp groups with tourists who might want to buy. Last month she received an order for fifty baskets from a hotel because someone saw her products online.
The program created real success among participants, with 78% of graduates using at least one digital tool within fourteen days after finishing classes. Digital payments jumped up 23% among those who completed the training. Steven Kirenga from Centenary Technology Services calls this "technology democratization" because it puts powerful tools into everyone's hands. The approach changes how market vendors think about technology by showing them they can use the same digital solutions as big company executives, just adapted for small business needs.
Following great results in Kampala, the program plans to expand across Uganda. Those digital buses will soon travel to Eastern, Western, Northern, and Central regions to reach even more market vendors. This effort represents a real step toward achieving Uganda's Digital Transformation Roadmap and the Digital Uganda Vision 2040. The entire project focuses on making complicated technology simple enough for everyday use without losing any of its power to transform businesses and lives.
Men made up most graduates, with 493 people, or about 58%, compared to women, who counted 358 participants or 42%. These market vendors can use their new knowledge to work faster, find more customers, and handle money better through their phones. Take Jane Nakitto, for example - this 57-year-old lady sells colorful fabric at Port Bell Market. She recently started using her phone to track sales and accept digital payments, which amazed her children, who never thought she could master such tech.
The pandemic really pushed these changes forward when lockdowns forced everyone to figure out online business methods. Many sellers realized they needed digital skills just to stay afloat during those tough times. Dr. Aminah Zawedde from the ICT Ministry sees this program as a perfect example of Uganda's bigger plans for bringing technology to regular people. The training helps everyday citizens earn more money through simple digital tools, which fits perfectly with national development goals.
MTN brought something clever to this program - mobile classrooms that drive right to the markets. Instead of asking busy vendors to travel somewhere for lessons, these digital buses park where people already work. Each bus comes fully equipped with computers, internet access, and teaching screens. Inside these rolling tech centers, market folks learn basics from using smartphones to handling online banking and marketing their products through apps. The teachers make sure everything directly applies to selling goods at market stalls.
Robert Okello sells produce at Kamwokya Market and has done this work for over twenty years. He started using WhatsApp to contact all his suppliers at once rather than making separate phone calls. This saves him time and helps him find better prices by comparing offers quickly. Esther Namuganza sells handmade baskets and created a photo collection on her phone showing her best work. She shares pictures through WhatsApp groups with tourists who might want to buy. Last month she received an order for fifty baskets from a hotel because someone saw her products online.
The program created real success among participants, with 78% of graduates using at least one digital tool within fourteen days after finishing classes. Digital payments jumped up 23% among those who completed the training. Steven Kirenga from Centenary Technology Services calls this "technology democratization" because it puts powerful tools into everyone's hands. The approach changes how market vendors think about technology by showing them they can use the same digital solutions as big company executives, just adapted for small business needs.
Following great results in Kampala, the program plans to expand across Uganda. Those digital buses will soon travel to Eastern, Western, Northern, and Central regions to reach even more market vendors. This effort represents a real step toward achieving Uganda's Digital Transformation Roadmap and the Digital Uganda Vision 2040. The entire project focuses on making complicated technology simple enough for everyday use without losing any of its power to transform businesses and lives.
