ICT Job Fair: Huawei aligns with Uganda government to fight youth unemployment

Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies has shown commitment to fighting youth unemployment in Uganda through an official partnership with the government of Uganda.

The tech company partnered with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, to host the 2^nd annual ICT Job Fair at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds this week starting Oct.17, ending the following day.

The National ICT Job Fair looks at addressing the youth unemployment question in Uganda through the ICT sector. This week’s fair was the second in a row.

The popular event provides the much-needed platform for the youth to directly connect with employers while at the same time uncovering employment opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, and training programs in the vibrant ICT sector as captured in the two-day event theme: “Navigating the Digital Horizon”.

Huawei Uganda Managing Director, Mr. Sunrise, said: “Huawei offered 15  internship positions with all of them now full-time Huawei employees. This year we will continue to offer 15 more internship opportunities,” says Mr. Sunrise, adding, “We will also provide 500 advanced ICT technologies training quotas for free for those who register with us at this job fair ending tomorrow.”

“I believe that ICTs will make significant contributions to Uganda’s economic development and people’s well-being. Together let us build an intelligent Uganda,” Mr. Sunrise concluded.

President Museveni speaks

President Yoweri Museveni in his remarks commended Huawei, saying his invitation in the early 2000s for Huawei to start work in Uganda has paid off. The President said that ICT has supported the transformation of Uganda, noting that: “Digital innovation is making things more efficient, faster while enabling traceability – that is why I support the idea of digitising government processes.”

The Vice President of Uganda, H. E Jessica Alupo also commended the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, and Huawei where she also talked about the launch of the digital transformation Road Map which took place some months ago.

 The Charge d’affairs ad Interim of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda Fan Xuecheng commended Huawei Technologies contributions to the growth of the economy saying, “Our objective is to support growth. This is why since 2001 Huawei has been providing quality ICT infrastructure…up to 70 percent of Huawei Technologies employees here are Ugandans.”

“We will also continue to support Huawei and other Chinese companies in actively connecting with Uganda’s national development strategy through Buy Uganda and Build Uganda,” he added.

Being a proud leader in the construction, research and development of ICT infrastructure, Huawei’s success in Uganda is a token of the China-Uganda comprehensive cooperative partnership according to Xuecheng.

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, recognised Huawei Technologies role in solving the unemployment question facing the youth in Uganda.

“As the custodians of our nation’s development, it is our responsibility to provide our young people with opportunities that will not only empower them but also contribute to the growth of our country,” he said.

According to the United Nations, youth unemployment is defined as the situation where young people (15–24 years old) who are looking for a job cannot find a job.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, youth unemployment in Uganda increased from 6.54% in 2021 to 6.58% in 2022 – a percentage that experts in this field say is one of the highest in the world.  

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Aminah Zawedde, described the partnership with Huawei Technologies for the second time in as many years as worthy, adding that the determination and commitment exhibited by Huawei Technologies has so far been unwavering.

She said: “Together, we can position Uganda as a preferred BPO destination, leveraging ICTs for the benefit of our youth, our economy, and our nation as a whole.”

The Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development Betty Amongi, said Uganda boasts the youngest population but the biggest challenge is matching skills in the digital space.

“An initiative like this will go a long way in skilling the 40 percent of the population. The statistics of the unemployed call for deliberate intervention. Under our ministry, any activity like this complements other programmes designed to narrow the gap of unemployment,” she said.

Amongi commended Huawei Technologies Uganda for the great support towards initiatives like the Digitruck project and also the National ICT Job Fair.