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#OutToLunch: Finishing university? Learning has just started

#OutToLunch: Finishing university? Learning has just started By Denis Jjuuko Some of Uganda’s universities have concluded their end of year exams at least for their undergraduate students. Some students have taken to social media to celebrate this milestone. It is not every day that one gets to complete their education. In Uganda, many have been studying since they were three years old or younger. That is averagely 20 years of classrooms. Phew! Anything that takes 20 years to accomplish should be celebrated. And those in Uganda who have managed to complete their education are the lucky few. The majority of kids who start their primary education don’t get the opportunity to sit their primary leaving exams. Numbers continue dropping in secondary education and other levels. The end of exams comes for most of these students at the precipice of something new —disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence that is changing the world. Some jobs will have to go but many others will be created. There are about 400,000 young people that enter the job market in Uganda every year. It is a dauting task to find work but it is also an opportunity for many young people to define their future. The end of final year exams and the graduation ceremony in months ahead doesn’t mean the end of learning. Formal education for many may be over but lifelong learning starts right now. Life is about learning something new all the time and being able to adapt to the realities that are thrown our way. But the most important thing for the majority of young people finishing their university or other education is finding a job. There is a lot of talk about the disruptive nature of artificial intelligence but machines and such technologies won’t entirely replace humans. Those who will succeed are those who will learn how to work alongside them. But there are still other things that fresh graduates looking for a job in Uganda must embrace. They are equally important or even more critical than even some of the digital skills. Talent alone or high academic qualifications may open the door for you but it won’t keep you in the room. That is why many times people with average talent succeed over the most talented ones. Virtues that keep average people flying. At university, there is perhaps no course unit on virtues. Stuff like honesty. Yet it is a key ingredient of success. How many people promise to do something and do it? There is an increasing shortage of honest people in Uganda. Anyone who tries not to shortchange everyone will succeed. People including the most dishonest ones like working with honest people. They want to protect their side of the bargain. You have heard of honor among thieves. Communication skills are very important. You can’t only answer your phone call before you receive the deposit to do some work and then answer only when you want and then complain that person demanding their work are unreasonable. They were not unreasonable before you agreed to do the work. Giving feedback is critical. When they send you somewhere, you must report back. You don’t wait to be asked to inform them of what happened. Employers like people who are proactive. And so do customers for those who may want to go the self-employment or hustling route. There is no African time. And if you plan to work in Kampala, at the moment there is no public transport worth the ink of this article. Roads get clogged. But you can’t tell people that you arrived late because of traffic jam. I understand these days roads can be closed even to pedestrians but the reason you have a phone is to call and communicate why there is a delay. You may give it as an excuse but people will one day find out that you are lying. Read as much as possible. The more you read, the more you understand the world its complexities. Reading creates an open mind. Don’t be rigid. Listen to what others say. Writing even in the age of ChatGPT is still important. You will not always be sending WhatsApp audios. Learn to write. You can’t avoid it. One way to learn writing is by reading. And of course, learn a new skill. There are many online courses. Google, Storytelling Africa, Udemy and many other platforms provide free or very affordable courses. All you need is an internet connection and sparing a few hours a week. In the meantime, congratulations on the completion of your university education. The writer is a communication and visibility consultant djjuuko@gmail.com

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Digitalization

UCC’s digital skills training unlocks content creation opportunities

By Adam Walusimbi In today’s digital age, many young people aspire to earn a living through content creation. However, procrastination often hinders their dreams, as they wait for the perfect equipment, timing, or financial resources to begin. At a recent one-week digital skills training program in Asuret Sub-County, Soroti District, Moses Kiboneka, widely known as Uncle Mo, an award-winning digital content creator, encouraged the youths to take immediate action. He shared valuable insights, emphasizing that the best time to start is now, rather than postponing their ambitions. Speaking to the attendees, Uncle Mo highlighted his own journey. As a mechanic, he found himself out of work during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown when car repairs shrunk. This unfortunate circumstance led him to create a “newsletter-commentary show” from his garage, launching his popular YouTube channel, “I Am Uncle Mo.” “I began with the most basic equipment—a borrowed phone and a friend as my camera operator,” he explained. “If I had waited for better resources, my channel might never have existed. You must start now!” Today, Uncle Mo’s channel boasts over 85,600 subscribers and 6.3 million views, allowing him to generate income from YouTube ads and collaborate with major brands. One participant, George William Eumu, described the training as “eye-opening.” Previously, he viewed his smartphone as a tool for basic tasks. “Now I know I can use my phone to do graphics design and video content creation,” he shared. Winnie Byanyima (no known relations with the Executive Director of UNAIDS) expressed her enthusiasm as well. She highlighted how the training boosted her aspiration to become a content creator. “The facilitators encouraged us to ask questions and demonstrated how the apps are used, making it very educational,” Byanyima noted. Interacting with Uncle Mo also added significant value to the training, motivating her further. Tom Vincent Olobo, the Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for Asuret Sub-County, conveyed gratitude to the Ugandan government for selecting Soroti for this training initiative. He encouraged the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Prime Time Communications to expand the program throughout the district. “Seeing over 100 youths participate in the ICT and multimedia skilling program brings me joy,” said Olobo. “I believe these young people can apply their skills to alleviate poverty and also teach their peers. I urge the UCC and government to extend this valuable training to other areas of Soroti.” The Soroti District training marked the conclusion of a larger digital skills program implemented by Prime Time Communications, which began in early 2024 and spanned 10 districts, including Masaka, Bukomansimbi, Lwengo, Sembabule, Kalungu, Mayuge, Bugiri, Pallisa, and Busia. More than 1,000 youths have participated in this digital skilling program. Initiated by the UCC under the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), this initiative aims to equip youths with essential digital skills, such as multimedia applications, social media marketing, and content creation, enabling them to create sustainable jobs in the digital economy. Denis Jjuuko, Team Leader at Prime Time Communications, attested to the positive impact of the program. “We have observed enthusiastic participation across all districts, and the trainees have produced impressive, professional-quality videos, graphics, and multimedia content despite having limited resources,” he said. “With continued training and tech-focused funding, Uganda’s youths have the potential to transform the nation.”Eng. Susan Nakanwagi, the UCUSAF technical manager, confirmed that the digital skilling program, now in its third year, will expand to more underserved districts in the 2025/2026 financial year due to its significant impact on the youths.

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Digitalization

ILO HANDS OVER KEY ITEMS TO ADVANCE LABOUR JUSTICE, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, AND STRENGTHEN WORKERS’ RIGHTS IN UGANDA

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has today, Friday, 13 September 2024, held a significant handover ceremony at its headquarters in Kampala, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s journey toward digital transformation in labour justice and the strengthening of workers’ rights. The event, presided over by Ms. Caroline Khamati Mugalla, Director of the ILO Country Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, marked the official handover of key items from various ILO projects aimed at enhancing Uganda’s labour sector. The Items included; a vehicle, tablet computers, Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) Servers, and copies of the 7th Edition of Laws Compendium of Uganda. This handover represents a critical step toward ensuring that all workers in Uganda, including the most vulnerable, can access swift and just resolution of labour disputes. “The ILO remains committed to strengthening the systems that uphold workers’ rights and ensuring that we empower national institutions to deliver justice more effectively,” says Khamati Mugalla. Digitalization of the Industrial Court, by the ILO PROSPECTS Project As part of the ILO PROSPECTS project promoting refugee and host community livelihoods, the Industrial Court of Uganda is undergoing a comprehensive digital transformation to enhance efficiency and access to justice for both refugees and host communities. The initiative aims to modernize the court’s operations and address longstanding challenges, ensuring swifter and more transparent resolution of labour disputes. The handover included the provision of notetaking computer tablets to key judicial officers and panelists representing workers and employers, facilitating improved court sessions. Hon. Justice Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha, Ag. Head Judge, Industrial Court, expressed optimism that the digital tools received will significantly enhance the court’s ability to process and resolve cases in a timely, fair, and transparent manner. Moreover, efforts are underway to implement technological upgrades based on a comprehensive assessment of the court’s digital limitations. The ongoing digitalization process is currently focusing on key court halls in Kampala, Mbarara, and Lira, with the goal of reducing case backlogs, streamlining legal research, and enhancing the efficiency of the judicial process. Legal Compendium for the Industrial Court, by the ILO CAPSA Project The ILO, through the CAPSA project, provided the Industrial Court with the newly revised 7th edition of Uganda’s consolidated laws. These legal resources are vital in ensuring that the court’s decisions are accurate, credible, and based on the most current legal frameworks. This initiative is expected to significantly improve the court’s ability to process cases and promote a more transparent and fair legal process for both employers and employees. “These updated legal resources will be instrumental in ensuring that the decisions made by the Industrial Court are both efficient and credible. The consolidated laws allow our judicial officers to work with the most up-to-date information, eliminating delays caused by outdated references,” says Hon. Justice Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha. Labour Management Information Systems (LMIS) Digitalization, by the ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Project In collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the ILO is supporting the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) project, which seeks to strengthen the capacities of countries in East and Horn of Africa to govern labour migration through evidence-based policies. The BRMM project in Uganda is focused on developing a Labour Management Information System (LMIS) to enhance the governance of labour migration and improve migrant workers’ qualifications and skills while engaging social partners. “The new LMIS servers will transform how we collect, manage, and analyze labour market data. This will not only benefit the Ministry but also all stakeholders in Uganda’s labour sector, as we can now deliver more responsive and evidence-based services to employers and workers,” says Aggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development. The ILO’s initiatives in Uganda align with the organization’s broader commitment to promoting decent work and ensuring that workers, including those in vulnerable situations, have access to fair and timely labour justice. Vehicle to Support Workers’ Rights Advocacy across Uganda: In addition to the digital equipment and compendium, ILO handed over a vehicle to the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) to support their operational capacity. This vehicle will enable NOTU to expand its outreach efforts and continue advocating for workers’ rights across Uganda. ILO and NOTU have a longstanding partnership, working together to protect and promote the rights of workers in Uganda, particularly those in the informal sector. The provision of this vehicle underscores the ILO’s commitment to strengthening institutions that advocate for decent work and workers’ protection in the country. The vehicle was received by Richard Bigirwa, the NOTU ,Secretary-General. “With this support from the ILO, we are now in a stronger position to reach more workers across the country and ensure that their rights are protected. This vehicle will help us to extend our efforts in promoting fair labour practices in even the most remote areas,” says Bigirwa The handover ceremony marked a critical moment in Uganda’s journey toward enhancing labour justice and strengthening workers’ rights. By providing digital tools, legal resources, and operational support, the ILO is helping to create a more efficient, transparent, and fair labour system that benefits all workers, including refugees and those in the gig economy.

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