Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in collaboration with the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) and Eight Tech Consults, implemented a transformative 3-year initiative (2021–2024) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
The program aimed to promote digital inclusiveness for persons with disabilities by enhancing knowledge management, ICT adoption, digital literacy, and access to e-services.
Through close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders from the Government, Ministries, Development Partners, District Unions, Organizations for Persons with Disabilities(OPDs), Service Providers, Institutions like Makerere University, Nkumba University, and Kabale University, and most importantly, persons with disabilities themselves.
Interventions included nationwide digital skills training, assistive technology innovation, policy advocacy, and the establishment of a National Digital Observatory to provide real-time data and services.
A dissemination workshop was held at UCC head offices for the following reasons;
1.Outcomes, successes, and lessons from the 3-year (2021-2024) implementation of theICT for Persons with Disabilities Program were shared.
2.Innovations, tools, and platforms developed under the program were showcased.
3.Engage stakeholders on strategies for sustaining and scaling digital inclusion efforts for persons with disabilities.
According to the CEO NUDIPU Ms Esther Kyozira, she highlights the tangible benefits of UCC’s support, and shares, they allowed us to set up high-tech ICT hubs in the Kiboga and Bugweri districts. These centers are equipped with assistive technologies to train persons with disabilities in digital skills and provide safe spaces for learning and innovation. However, she also calls for greater awareness and strengthening of the National Observatory as Uganda’s main source of data on people with disabilities.
Ms Esther Kyozira CEO NUDIPU addressing the participants at the dissemination workshop of the ICT project implemented from 2021 to 2024.
To the UCC Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo, he passionately shares the project started at the time he had just joined UCC.
He is very optimistic about the significance of empowering persons with disabilities in ICT to break barriers in information and communication technology.
The Executive Director Uganda Communication Commission Nyombi Thembo recently addressing participants at the dissemination workshop of the Inclusive ICT project implemented by NUDIPU and Eightech Consults.
Achievements of the program
Extensive Research: Conducted across 73 districts including Kibaale , Mukono, Pallisa , Zombo , Totoro, Lira Moyo, Isingiro , Sironko , Sheema , Rubanda, Omoro, Terego, Nwoya, Rukiga , Luwero, Jinja, Wakiso, Mbale, Busia, Mityana, Bushenyi, Iganga, among others in five regions, this foundational research provided insights into the content and digital needs of diverse disability categories in Uganda
Digital Infrastructure Development: Creation of the National Digital Observatory, a dynamic mobile application, and a web-based digital skilling system that profiles users and provides personalized ICT training.
Capacity Building: Over 10,000 persons with disabilities have received direct digital skills training, equipping them to participate more fully in today’s digital economy.
Fostering Innovation: Through specially designed Innovation Hackathons, participants were encouraged to explore creative, tech-driven solutions to everyday challenges.
Community Engagement: The development of 35 district union websites include Hoima district union of Persons with Disabilities ( HUDIP) , Jinja District Union of Persons with Disabilities ( JIDU), Gulu Disabled Persons Union among others has strengthened grassroots mobilization and local digital resource access.
