Ministry of ICT signs partnership to boost youth skills, smart agriculture

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The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance of Uganda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Health Industry Foundation and the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation.

This MoU aims to strengthen collaboration in AI, digital innovation, and youth capacity building. The partnership focuses on three priority areas: AI and emerging technologies, international exchange programs, and Youth digital skills development.

Under the agreement, the partnership will establish AI laboratories, initiate joint research projects, and provide specialised training opportunities for Ugandan youth and ICT professionals.

Permanent Secretary Dr Amina Zawedde says the collaboration aligns with Uganda’s national development agenda to grow the economy tenfold.

“This MoU falls in line with our vision of a $500b economy by 2040. Our people will gain new skills and have opportunities to visit China on exchange programmes to learn about smart agriculture and replicate those practices here,” Dr Zawedde said.

The Memorandum of Understanding is expected to particularly strengthen agribusiness through smart agriculture and enhance innovation through collaborative research and skills development.

Chairman of the UN Health Industry Foundation, Chunxiao Huang, emphasised China’s commitment to integrating AI into Uganda’s agricultural ecosystem and supporting the development of smart cities. He projected that the partnership could create over 50,000 jobs within five years.

“This partnership will create more than 50,000 jobs in five years and enable Uganda to develop new smart cities,” Huang said.

The collaboration will also facilitate scholarship-based exchange programmes, enabling Ugandan students to benchmark China’s advancements in AI and agriculture. Additionally, the initiative aims to promote Chinese medicine and attract more Chinese agricultural investors into Uganda.

Edward Kimbugwe, founder of the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation, highlighted the importance of technology transfer for rural communities.

“Through this partnership, rural farmers will receive drones to monitor their farms and learn smart agriculture practices, helping them apply technology in their daily work,” Kimbugwe said.

Officials say the initiative is expected to enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, and equip the next generation of Ugandan professionals with critical AI and ICT skills.