Just 48% of people in Uganda are using the Internet, according to the Uganda Communications Commission (2019). The three main obstacles to Internet use are lack of free or affordable access to technology, lack of computer and on-line literacy skills, and limited awareness about the potential of the Internet.
Women and unemployed youth are especially marginalized in a digital environment. Women and girls have limited independent sources of income, lower literacy levels and lack confidence with technology. Unemployed young people also struggle to afford Internet access and need practical and marketable digital skills.
The project aims at providing affordable and accessible digital literacy skills to vulnerable populations (in particular, youth and women) through a nation-wide network of established institutions - public and community libraries, with trained librarians to assist. In addition, mobile digital literacy camps will be organised, bringing computers and Internet to provide digital literacy training to remote rural communities. The public and community librarians will also introduce community members to an on-line learning platform, where they can access several hundred courses, covering topics such as health, parenting, computer skills, and public speaking.
Currently, a nation-wide network of 17 public and community libraries in Uganda (and new ones to join) are working together to provide free digital literacy programmes.
1) So far, a total of 1,672 people were trained on digital and mobile literacy
2) A total of 449 people were engaged in learning circles
3) Maendeleo Foundation held 9 mobile camps consisting in a 5-days training attended by 551 people.
--> Click HERE to access the map showing all libraries engaged in the digital skills project.
