Accelerated by the pandemic, the digital future is coming at us faster than ever before, and maybe faster than we can imagine. In this article by www.outcastactivistforum.org  we explore the possible consequences—the good, the bad, and the gray in the plight for digital inclusion in Uganda.

Uganda is committed to digitizing the economy through the Digital Uganda Vision which is a National Policy and Strategic Framework. The vision aims at building a digitally enabled society to create positive social and economic impact. 

Despite the promise of digital transformation, it can also drive unequal outcomes in education, opportunities, and access to health care and financial services especially in developing countries like Uganda. Automation has destroyed jobs, some permanently. The chasm between the digitally connected and the unconnected—across and within countries and between rural and urban areas—has amplified social and economic inequalities.

It’s imperative that the Government of Uganda and stakeholders in the ICT sector create dialogue with local leaders and grassroot organizations like www.outcastactivistforum.org inorder to dissect the circumstances in relation to the digital divide.

Understanding the challenges faced by the haves and havenots will answer the question of digital poverty before we implement policies and programs for marginalized communities like the slum areas we serve in Kalerwe Uganda.

The negative effects of COVID 19 lead to teenage pregnancies, drug abuse and ultimately many children, teenagers and youth did not have a chance to return back to school. Thus furthering the digital divide between the haves and have-nots.

Digital poverty affects people who don’t have access to a computer or internet. It’s a problem that’s getting worse in marginalized communities.

There’s a lot of poverty in Uganda, and a lot of people don’t have access to a computer or internet. That makes it hard for them to get the jobs they need or to access the information they need to stay healthy.

Digital poverty is also a problem because it makes it hard for people to participate in the economy. They can’t get a good job if they don’t have access to the internet or a computer.

There are a few projects trying to solve the digital poverty problem in Uganda. One project is called the “ICT for Human Development” project. It’s a partnership between the World Bank and the government of Uganda. The project is working to improve access to the internet and affordable computer equipment in schools and communities in Uganda.

Another project is called “E-Resilience”. It’s a partnership between the Open Society Foundation and the government of Uganda. The project is working to improve the security of people’s online data and to build the capacity of communities to respond to cyberattacks.

There are a lot of ways to solve the digital poverty problem in Uganda. The government and the private sector need to work together to make sure that everyone has access to the internet and to affordable computer equipment.

Lets together create a paradigm shift in Uganda (the youngest population) through dialogue with grass root organizations in marginalized communities for the have-nots in Uganda.

This article is written by Philbert Mwebembezi Kagangure, Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs, OAF Uganda.

outcastactvistforum@gmail.com

www.outcastactivistsforum.org