Education
Students told to use AI as a learning tool, not a shortcut
According to Muzamil Wamundu, a member of the ICT sector committee under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, many employees are increasingly worried that artificial intelligence could replace their jobs.
Muzamil Wamundu, a member of the sector committee on ICT under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, addressing students during the students’ orientation at the Global Institute of Information Technology & Business in Wadegeya on 14th September 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
By: Juliet Kasirye, Journalist @New Vision
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To align students' skills with the world of work, ICT skills experts have advised learners to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their studies and research.
According to Muzamil Wamundu, a member of the ICT sector committee under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, many employees are increasingly worried that artificial intelligence could replace their jobs.
However, Wamundu said students should not fear AI but instead embrace it as a learning tool.
As students, Wamundu says, you should not be worried about AI. In fact, you should make AI your course mate because it will help you become innovative and productive. It will help you produce something that has value and quality.
He urged students to integrate AI into their studies and research and use it as a tool for consultation.
A cross-section of students during the students’ orientation held at the Global Institute of Information Technology & Business in Wadegeya on 14th September 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
“Start thinking about integrating AI in your studies, research, and consult it all the time in whatever you do. We advise students to make AI your workmate because whenever you are given an assignment, you can consult AI to get guidance about a specific topic,” explained Wamundu.
However, to discourage plagiarism, Wamundu cautioned students against relying on AI to copy and paste information directly into their academic coursework.
“This does not mean you do copy and paste. In academics, this is referred to as plagiarism and it amounts to suspension and expulsion. As learners, you should desist from plagiarism. Instead, use AI to consult, research and improve whatever you are doing.”
He made the remarks during a student orientation held at the Global Institute of Information Technology & Business in Wandegeya on Monday (September 14).
The orientation was held under the theme “Learn a Skill. Build a Career. Shape Your Future.” It highlighted GIIT's emphasis on practical skills, employability and entrepreneurship, as well as its deliberate integration of AI literacy and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in training.
The programme explores how young Ugandans can prepare for opportunities in Uganda and beyond, and how training institutions, Government and industry can respond to the changing world of work.
“Recently, we developed a new curriculum. A curriculum that aligns with the world of work. Out of the 53 courses that we developed, at least 17 of them have been approved. One of those that I developed myself under my sector committee was also approved,” disclosed Wamundu.
Since the world of work expects a person who is self-driven, innovative and a problem solver, Wamundu advised learners to start thinking about innovation and the value they add in whatever they do daily.
The senior research fellow at the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Isaac Shinyekwa, said that although Google does a good job of conducting research, AI is better.
Shinyekwa stated: “It can get you all the papers you need to review in that particular area. For instance, AI is a very quick tool for data analysis and qualitative analysis. It helps you to run commands, to do certain types of analysis and search for reports.”
“This does not mean you do copy and paste. In academics, this is referred to as plagiarism and it amounts to suspension and expulsion. As learners, you should desist from plagiarism. Instead, use AI to consult, research and improve whatever you are doing.”
He made the remarks during a student orientation held at the Global Institute of Information Technology & Business in Wandegeya on Monday (September 14).
The orientation was held under the theme “Learn a Skill. Build a Career. Shape Your Future.” It highlighted GIIT's emphasis on practical skills, employability and entrepreneurship, as well as its deliberate integration of AI literacy and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in training.
The programme explores how young Ugandans can prepare for opportunities in Uganda and beyond, and how training institutions, Government and industry can respond to the changing world of work.
“Recently, we developed a new curriculum. A curriculum that aligns with the world of work. Out of the 53 courses that we developed, at least 17 of them have been approved. One of those that I developed myself under my sector committee was also approved,” disclosed Wamundu.
Since the world of work expects a person who is self-driven, innovative and a problem solver, Wamundu advised learners to start thinking about innovation and the value they add in whatever they do daily.
The senior research fellow at the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Isaac Shinyekwa, said that although Google does a good job of conducting research, AI is better.
Shinyekwa stated: “It can get you all the papers you need to review in that particular area. For instance, AI is a very quick tool for data analysis and qualitative analysis. It helps you to run commands, to do certain types of analysis and search for reports.”
Since AI cannot be avoided, Shinyekwa advised students to use it responsibly because it will not only help them sharpen their skills, but also enable them to become self-employed.
While discussing the use of AI, Fredrick Emmanuel Kindi, a lecturer at Makerere University, warned students to be very careful, saying being innovative means using their brains to create something new that will help the world.
According to an article he read recently, he said the current generation is less intelligent than the previous one because people spend most of their time on social media, yet what is important is to build a skill.
“Instead of spending time on TikTok or WhatsApp, use AI to benefit yourself. In Makerere, we had a cleaner called Augustine Mulindwa. Since he was a young boy, we told him, instead of cleaning, why don’t you study IT essentials? One of the heads of the department kept part of his salary to pay for the skills he was attending. When he graduated, he got a job in Mali as an expatriate.” Kindi told students.
100 learners receive bursaries
Meanwhile, the director of the Global Institute of Information Technology & Business, Ben Opolot, commended Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minister Minsa Kabanda for supporting vulnerable people to acquire bursaries.
“Out of 480,000 people who applied for diploma and certificate bursaries, only 100 were awarded. To qualify for the diploma or certificate bursaries, interested persons who are financially constrained had to have a minimum of a principal pass and a couple of credits in different subjects,” explained Opolot.
Regarding skills development, Opolot revealed that if a learner acquires basic skills and has a good network, they will not only get gigs but also become innovative and reduce unemployment.
To survive in this competitive environment, Opolot noted: “You have to keep improving your skill base, not just picking papers and piling them in the file. But finding skills which supplement each other. Your first degree, certificate, diploma may be just a basis, but you need to sharpen your skills to be versatile and more employable.”
While discussing the use of AI, Fredrick Emmanuel Kindi, a lecturer at Makerere University, warned students to be very careful, saying being innovative means using their brains to create something new that will help the world.
According to an article he read recently, he said the current generation is less intelligent than the previous one because people spend most of their time on social media, yet what is important is to build a skill.
“Instead of spending time on TikTok or WhatsApp, use AI to benefit yourself. In Makerere, we had a cleaner called Augustine Mulindwa. Since he was a young boy, we told him, instead of cleaning, why don’t you study IT essentials? One of the heads of the department kept part of his salary to pay for the skills he was attending. When he graduated, he got a job in Mali as an expatriate.” Kindi told students.
100 learners receive bursaries
Meanwhile, the director of the Global Institute of Information Technology & Business, Ben Opolot, commended Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minister Minsa Kabanda for supporting vulnerable people to acquire bursaries.
“Out of 480,000 people who applied for diploma and certificate bursaries, only 100 were awarded. To qualify for the diploma or certificate bursaries, interested persons who are financially constrained had to have a minimum of a principal pass and a couple of credits in different subjects,” explained Opolot.
Regarding skills development, Opolot revealed that if a learner acquires basic skills and has a good network, they will not only get gigs but also become innovative and reduce unemployment.
To survive in this competitive environment, Opolot noted: “You have to keep improving your skill base, not just picking papers and piling them in the file. But finding skills which supplement each other. Your first degree, certificate, diploma may be just a basis, but you need to sharpen your skills to be versatile and more employable.”