60 Fort Portal students empowered with digital skills
“Educating girls is essential not just for individual empowerment, but for community development. It leads to reduced poverty, improved health outcomes, and stronger economies,” Bulenzi stated.
Fort Portal: In a transformative effort to bridge the gender gap in STEM and empower the next generation of female tech leaders, the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) Phase III has officially launched in Fort Portal City to serve Uganda’s Rwenzori sub-region.
This initiative is a collaboration between UN Women, the African Union Commission, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and the Ministry of Gender and Social Development.
It recently trained 60 girls from local secondary schools including Kyebambe Girls School, Mpanga Secondary, and Fort Portal Secondary School.
The 10-day intensive training, hosted at Mountains of the Moon University, introduced students to foundational coding and programming skills. The program aims to foster digital literacy, enhance learning, and equip girls for careers in the fast-evolving tech sector.
Addressing the students, Grace Bulenzi from UN Women underscored the broader societal benefits of empowering girls through digital education.
“Educating girls is essential not just for individual empowerment, but for community development. It leads to reduced poverty, improved health outcomes, and stronger economies,” Bulenzi stated.
“When girls gain digital skills, they’re equipped to make informed decisions, delay early marriages, and actively contribute to society and the economy,” she added.
Prof. John Kasenene, Vice Chancellor of Mountains of the Moon University, emphasized the need for gender inclusion in the tech industry:
“The technology sector has been male-dominated for too long. Training girls in IT is a crucial step toward a more inclusive and diverse workforce. It ensures women can bring unique perspectives and drive innovation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fort Portal City MP and Director of the Bridge Institute of Information and Technology, Alex Ruhunda, highlighted the relevance of digital skills in today’s job market:
“Digital literacy opens doors. These skills allow women to access better-paying jobs, pursue fulfilling careers, and achieve financial independence. Training like this prepares young women to thrive in the digital economy,” Ruhunda noted.
Inspiration for the future
Victoria Komukyeya, a student at Kyebambe Girls’ School, shared her motivation: “The journeys of women in technology inspire me to pursue a career in IT. Despite the challenges, I hope to help break down stereotypes and challenge the gender norms that discourage girls from entering tech fields,” she said.
At the close of the training, the girls were awarded certificates in digital literacy, marking a significant step on their path to technological empowerment and economic self-reliance.
The AGCCI initiative continues to shape Uganda’s digital future by ensuring equal access to the Internet and digital tools for girls, and by investing in feminist technology and innovation to build a more inclusive digital economy.
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