#OutToLunch The government should dispense with pride and fully open the internet

By Denis Jjuuko

Rachael and her husband live somewhere in New York where she works as a nurse. Before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world, she used to come to Kampala at least once a year to check on her relatives and projects.

Whenever she was in Kampala, she used to stay in hotels. After some time, she got tired of living in hotels with her young kids. She decided to build a block of six apartments on the land she had earlier acquired in Najjeera. When the apartments are done, her plan is to rent out five of them and keep the sixth for herself whenever she is around.

Late last year, Rachael contracted Ibra, a skilled builder to start construction. Ibra and Rachael worked out a plan where he is paid per phase. Every day, Ibra calls Rachael on WhatsApp and updates her on the progress made. Using WhatsApp’s video call feature, Rachael sees what is happening at her site in real-time, makes inquiries on issues that may not be clear and approves changes, if any.

This arrangement has been perfect for Rachael as well as for Ibra. On the site at any one time, about 30 young men and a few women earn money every day. The building material hardware owner has been very happy as the site’s progress means that his business has been growing.

National Water has been collecting payments for the water used. The truck driver has been delighted supplying sand, bricks, and coarse aggregate, among other materials.

Sarah, a widow and neighbour to Rachel over the last few months has been feeding the 30 young men and women with porridge in the morning and posho and beans mainly for lunch. She had never seen this windfall in a while. She has been walking with a smile of recent.

However, Rachael has temporarily stopped the construction of the apartments. She is not sure what is going on at the site. She has failed to get the latest update on the site as Ibra cannot send images and videos to her. The internet has been off in Uganda for days. When it was restored, the government kept social media blocked.

Rachael had wanted Ibra to download the Zoom app, which didn’t work as app stores are also blocked. Ibra is a skilled builder with many years of experience. However, the internet is not his thing. He reluctantly joined WhatsApp after he felt irritated by his children and now, clients like Rachael.

Until Racheal can be sure of uninterrupted communication with Ibra, there won’t be money being sent. She wants to be sure she can do spot checks at any time of the day. She wants to be involved in every stage.

Racheal’s forced decision to halt her apartments’ construction means that 30 young men and women are idle, without any work. Sarah has lost her business. The smile is gone. The truck guy is now stuck with his sand. The hardware owner’s stock isn’t moving at the speed it was. The mobile money agent where Ibra withdraws money has lost some income. Ibra is stuck too, looking for other sites.

The sad thing is that Ibra isn’t Ibra and Sarah aren’t the only people stuck. Many people are. A woman who works in Owino and has been selling her second hand clothing using social media can’t do much anymore. She has no easy way to reach her customers. Traditional media is out of reach for her. Social media had eased her way of doing business. Now it is off. Apparently, the government is unhappy that a few of its fake accounts were deleted by Facebook and Twitter, at least according to the foreign affairs minister.

However, the government’s decision to shut down the internet and social media is affecting it as well. The Uganda Revenue Authority is missing OTT tax targets and businesses failed to file their returns on time as well as sending out invoices. The telecom companies are missing money in terms of data and levies on mobile money transactions.

The internet today has become as important as food, shelter and clothing. It is the way of life of many people. It is the way through which government, businesses, individuals, and large organisations do business.

Due to COVID-19, businesses are struggling to stay afloat and the last thing they need is the internet and social media being off. The government should dispense with its pride and restore the internet fully so that Ibra and Sarah and the hundreds of people who were benefiting from Rachael’s construction site can work again.

The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

Tags: Denis Jjuuko, Internet services in Uganda, Out to Lunch, Social media tax

Education

From Smartphones to Sustainable Livelihoods: Manafwa Youth Power a New Digital Future

By Sandra Nakafeero A fresh sense of purpose swept through the Manafwa District Hall as more than 100 young people gathered for the close of an intensive digital skilling programme. Phones in hand and ideas taking shape, the participants demonstrated how simple digital tools are reshaping the way young people learn, create, and earn. During the hands-on sessions, trainees explored practical skills ranging from graphic design and social media branding to virtual collaboration. Using Canva and other mobile-friendly applications, the youths learned how to develop marketing visuals, select effective colour schemes and fonts, and package messages for online audiences. For many, these skills marked their first step toward turning creativity into income. Abikala Munyanda stood out among the cohort, emerging as the overall best performer. Like many of his peers, he described the training as a confidence booster that transformed digital platforms from sources of entertainment into tools for enterprise. The training was further energized by guest facilitator and content creator Dr. Solomon Kimera, whose journey resonated strongly with the participants. A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Kimera shared how he built a massive digital following by starting small and staying consistent. “I didn’t begin with expensive equipment or a studio,” he told the youth. “I started with an ordinary smartphone and the courage to put myself out there. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you may never begin.” Today, Dr. Kimera commands an online audience of nearly 2.5 million followers on TikTok, with content that blends education and entertainment. His story underscored a key lesson of the training: innovation is less about resources and more about mindset. Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony, the Chief Administrative Officer of Manafwa District, Mr. Ssenku Kimuli Samuel, urged the youth to translate their new skills into meaningful livelihoods. “This training has equipped you with skills that are relevant to today’s economy,” Mr. Ssenku said. “You already have powerful tools in your hands, your smartphones. Use them responsibly to create value, to earn honestly, and to contribute to the development of Manafwa. The future of this district depends on how well you apply what you have learned.” He emphasized that digital skilling is no longer optional but essential for young people seeking employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in national development. The Resident District Commissioner, Hon. Saleh Kamba, commended the trainees for their commitment and encouraged them to remain innovative and disciplined as they venture into the digital space. He noted that digital literacy offers young people an opportunity to improve their livelihoods using resources they already possess. The initiative was implemented by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), in partnership with Prime Time Communications. The programme targets youths in five eastern Uganda districts—Kumi, Kapchorwa, Manafwa, Butaleja, and Kamuli—with more than 500 young people benefiting in the current rollout. Overall, nearly 1,400 youths across 13 districts in central and eastern Uganda are being equipped with practical ICT and multimedia skills. In the first quarter of 2026, the programme will extend to Butaleja and Kamuli districts, enrolling an additional 200 youths. At the conclusion of the training, three participants were recognized for outstanding performance: Abikala Munyanda as Overall Winner, Leah Edith Namono as First Runner-Up, and Derrick Kalibo as Second Runner-Up. As the youths of Manafwa step forward with newly acquired digital competencies, they carry more than certificates—they carry the potential to create jobs, grow incomes, and transform their communities. One design, one post at a time, a new digital chapter is unfolding in Manafwa District.

December 15, 2025

Digitalization

From a simple smartphone to nearly 2.5m followers: Dr. Solomon Kimera inspires Kapchorwa youths to start now

By Gloria Kembabazi Digital skilling is opening new opportunities for young people who dream of building careers in content creation. In today’s digital world, many youths aspire to make a living online, yet procrastination and self-doubt often hold them back. Many wait for the perfect equipment, ideal timing, or enough money before they begin delays that keep their dreams on pause. It is under this background that Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) working with Prime Time Communications is implementing a program to skill youth groups in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and multimedia in five districts in eastern Uganda. The districts are Kumi, Kapchorwa, Manafwa, Butaleja and Kamuli. The training will see more than 500 youths acquire digital skills that are critical in enabling them to find or create meaningful work. Through the partnership between UCC and Prime Time Communications, more than 1,200 youths have so far been trained in central and eastern Uganda. When the digital skills training program kicked off at the Kapachrowa Community Hall in Kisenyi Sub-County within Kapchorwa Municipality, Kapchorwa District, the atmosphere was filled with inspiration as a famous TikToker and content creator Dr. Solomon Kimera took to the stage. Dr. Kimera, widely recognized for his engaging and educational TikTok videos, has built a strong online community by blending entertainment with knowledge. His relatable delivery and ability to simplify complex topics have earned him admiration from thousands of young people across the country. Addressing the youth, Dr. Kimera shared the authentic story of his journey. Although he is a medical doctor with a professional background in clinical practice, his rise in the digital world did not begin with expensive tools or a perfect setup. Instead, it began with confidence and creativity. “I started with the most basic equipment; an inexpensive smartphone. I was my own camera operator,” he revealed. “If I had waited to earn enough from my medical career to buy a better phone, I wouldn’t have the following I have today. I might never have existed as a content creator. You must start now!” His message resonated deeply with the young audience. Today, Dr. Kimera has nearly 2.5 million followers on TikTok, with his videos attracting millions of views and likes. His success is proof that passion and consistency can open doors, even when resources are limited. Through the UCC digital skills training, the youths in Kapchorwa are being empowered with practical skills to create content, build online brands, and tap into the growing digital economy. Dr. Kimera’s story served as a powerful reminder that success begins with the courage to start using whatever is available. His final encouragement to the youth was simple but profound: “Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with what you have. Your journey begins today.” One participant, Siya Deo, described the engagement and training as “an eye-opening.” Previously, he viewed his smartphone as a tool for basic tasks. “Now I know I can use my phone to do video content creation,” he shared.

December 4, 2025

Out to Lunch

#OutToLunch: Rampant unemployment is a key national security issue

By Denis Jjuuko The public service ministry recently announced that more than 40,000 people applied for 287 jobs across different government ministries, departments and agencies. More than 28,000 of those who applied qualified, meaning they were selected for aptitude tests which were to be held at the Mandela National Stadium at Namboole. It must be frustrating looking for job in Uganda. The news came after a bombshell report emanating from research by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) that indicated that Ugandans pay a whopping Shs42.34b annually to district service boards to get jobs. Averagely, the report indicated, 130,000 people pay bribes to land jobs. The people who ask for these bribes know that the jobs are scarce and people are desperate and willing to do anything to land the jobs. When somebody who bribed their way to a job gets employed, it means a few things. First, the person is not the best for the job. They just had the money to pay a recruiter. The best candidate may not have had the money and therefore wasn’t considered. Because the person knows they only got the job through bribery, they will continue bribing their way into senior positions. That is how we end up with incompetent people in positions of authority. People who can’t execute anything and making sure things don’t work or looking at everyone who is competent as a threat or what people call work politics. The people who are competent end up doing very little at work so that the incompetent boss doesn’t feel insecure and threatened. That is how we end with yes people—they won’t advise their bosses. They will do whatever the boss wants whether it makes sense or not. Remember, there are no jobs and these people have families to feed. Rocking the boat isn’t something that they want to do. Second, the people who bribed their way to jobs will only hire those who pay them a bribe. That way you end up with a corrupt layer at every level and an incompetent lot everywhere. Service delivery is impacted. Government then fails to create jobs that young people can apply for and get on merit. Third, because the public service is corrupted, the private sector suffers too. People can’t start and run businesses professionally. The people who are in positions because they paid a recruiter will endlessly try to get a return on their investment (read bribe). Procurement processes will be compromised. Payment for services and goods delivered will be frustrated unless somebody is paid. The bribery doesn’t end at public service. We recently saw many statements from politicians who lost elections for positions in their political parties claiming their rivals won through bribery. Some wondered why people were bribing for positions that were actually “voluntary.” We hear that candidates for Members of Parliament in some constituencies spend more money than they would get in the five years they would spend in the office should they win. If somebody spends more money than they would be officially paid, it means they are doing so to illegally get something. Somebody who sells their house to get money for election will do anything to get their house back. That is how we end up without jobs and seeing young energetic people leaving the country for the Middle East not to do highly technical jobs but menial ones or being trafficked for sex like we recently heard from a BBC investigation. Government has been saying that they are intending to grow the economy to US$500 billion annually. Great stuff but with rampant corruption, it will be a tall order. There is a need to nip corruption in the bud in order to create sustainable jobs for the working age population. Otherwise, we shall continue to see thousands of people filling up soccer stadiums to apply for a few jobs they know they stand no chance of getting. That is what they call desperation. And desperate people can do pretty much anything. Unemployment ends up being a key national security issue that the government must urgently address. The public have a chance to play a key role here by voting people in 2026 not because they bribed them with a t-shirts or some cheap alcohol but those who can address the challenges they face such as unemployment. The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

October 13, 2025