Tag: ICT Uganda

Team Uganda takes first position in Sub Saharan Africa Huawei Global ICT Competition

This winning team shall now proceed to the global finals in China to compete at global level

Kampala; Huawei Uganda has today awarded three students who represented Uganda in the Huawei ICT global competition Africa stage. These students took first position and are to represent Africa at the global stage next year.

Under the theme of “Connection, Glory, Future”, the four day competitions that kicked off on 10th September 2020 covered over 14 countries in the African region and attracted over 50,000 students.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Mr. Vicent Bagirre Waiswa with the winners Doreen Nalwoga, Shaffick Nyanzi and Emmanuel Kiguli

Team Uganda is believed to have been represented by two network teams each comprising of three students, of which one took first position toppling other African countries. This winning team comprises of two students from Muni University and one student from Lira University. These shall now proceed to the global finals in China to compete at global level in November.

Globally the Huawei ICT Competition 2019-2020 has covered over 70 countries worldwide, with 150 000 contestants from more than 2,000 universities and colleges. Launched in the African region just five years ago, the Huawei ICT Competition has developed into the largest ICT skills competition in Africa.

Vicent Bagirre making his remarks

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Chief guest Hon. Bagiire Vicent Waiswa commended Huawei for the ICT Competition initiative that mobilizes young Ugandans to build their capacity and skills with a view of making them market ready.

“I thank Huawei for this initiative that mobilizes Ugandans to build their capacity and skills with a view of making them market ready. By market ready I mean you take these Ugandans and give them the necessary exposure through competition for them to be able to come back home and utilized the skills they have learned,” he said.

Huawei MD Gaofei, Kyambogo Dean Justus Kwetegeka, Muni Vice Chancellor Prof Christine Dranzoa, Permanet Secretary ICT Ministry Hon Bagirre Vicent, Martrys Nkozi Vice Chancellor Prof John Chrestom and Huawei PR Gaojian (L-R) PLUS Team Uganda

“As far as the ministry is concerned, developing human capital is extremely important and we look at initiatives such as these (Huawei ICT Competition) as an avenue that we can utilize to build the capacity of our ICT professionals and therefore build substantial ICT eco system,” he added.

In Uganda, the first edition of the Huawei ICT competition started in 2018 with 1300 students from the various public universities. In 2019, over 2500 students from Makerere, Kyambogo, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Nkozi, Mbarara, Kabale, Lira, Gulu, Muni, UCU and MUBS accessed learning material free of charge on the Huawei online learning platform in the various courses such as Network and Cloud track. The network track consists of Router & Switch, Security and Wireless Lan while Cloud track consists of Artificial intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing and Storage. These studied and were subjected to preliminary exams, national exams and Regional exams.

Doreen Nalwoga, a computer science student at Lira University and one of the winners expressed her gratitude to the exposure Huawei had accorded to them.

“Firstly I would like to thank Huawei Uganda for having given us an opportunity to increase our exposure, knowledge, skills and experience. We have attained professional certification at no cost, facilitation and awards. I am personally certified with HCIA Security, HCIA Router and Switch, HCIA WLAN. Am currently finalizing an additional course to be a Huawei Certified Internetwork Professional (HCIP R&S). This means I am capable of designing, implementing and maintaining enterprise networks already,” said Doreen.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Managing Director of Huawei Uganda, Mr. Gao Fei, said that the competition is very relevant to every ICT student and professional because it’s a comprehensive approach of skills development for employment, enhanced productivity and growth.

Doreen Nalwoga making her speech

“We congratulate team Uganda for the tremendous success thus far. The Huawei ICT Competition and Academy is a comprehensive approach of skills development for employment, enhanced productivity and growth. Training contents in this program has been aligned with skills requirements in the job market. That is why we re-dedicate ourselves to working even more closely with universities across the country to better equip students with the next generation of technologies and create the platform for the Ugandan students to demonstrate they are capable of maturing into world-class experts,” said Mr. Gao Fei.

With a series of talent ecosystem campaigns in Sub Saharan Africa, including the ICT competition, Huawei hopes to skill up more than 700,000 ICT professionals by 2023.

October 12, 2020
Frank Tumwebaze seeks for ICT support in China

The Minster for ICT and National Guidance Hon. Frank K Tumwebaze has continued his quest to put information and technology at a higher level in Uganda. During his recent visit to China, the minister rooted for a working partnership between CCTV and UBC.

Frank Tumwebaze (L) in China last week

After a visit to CCTV, the Minister agreed in principle with CCTV management that the two state national broadcasters should corporate and learn from each other. For UBC, Frank said it’s a major step in an effort to rebuild and revamp it.

CCTV will accord UBC staff an opportunity to learn new modern skills in broadcasting, content production and management and use of new modern digital equipment.

An official Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) will follow through our countries’ formal diplomatic channels.

The minister also lobbied for more working partnership between the two states in other ICT sectors.

Below is the Minister’s full statement;

“I have concluded my one week working visit to China. Together with my delegation, we attended the world Internet conference in Wuhzen province and good discussions on ensuring safety and sustainability of the cyberspace were held. The future of the Internet, its equitable access and the end of its monopoly by the big powers dominated the discussions.

Famous personalities like ALI BABA spoke at the conference that was attended by world ICT leaders and Presidents of ICT multinational firms. After the conference, my delegation and I visited the CCTV headquarters in Beijing. I thank our Embassy in Beijing -China for organising this meeting. I discussed with the management of CCTV (China’s national broadcaster) possible areas of mutual cooperation and partnership with UBC. We agreed in principle that our two state national broadcasters should corporate and learn from each other.

For UBC, this is a major step in our efforts to rebuild and revamp it. CCTV will accord UBC staff an opportunity to learn new modern skills in broadcasting, content production and management and use of new modern digital equipment. An official MOU will follow through our countries’ formal diplomatic channels,” Frank Tumwebaze said.

November 28, 2016
Uganda is on the course in as far as the uptake of ICTs is concerned – Frank Tumwebaze

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Frank K Tumwebaze has said the country is on course in as far as the uptake of ICTs is concerned. The Minister said this at the Capacity Africa Conference on telecommunications at Speke resort Munyonyo on Wednesday. The conference was organized by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

“I have today opened and spoken at two important ICT international meetings organised by the ICT sector; that is the capacity Africa conference on telecommunications at Speke Resort Munyonyo organised by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Cyber defence east African conference at Statistics house organised by #NITA-U. I am glad our country comparatively is on course in as far as the uptake of ICTs is concerned,” Frank Tumwebaze said.

September 30, 2016
Huawei Uganda signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of ICT for technological collaboration

Huawei Uganda has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of ICT for technological collaboration at the Huawei Technology Festival at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

The Huawei Uganda Technology Festival is an event that shall begin on 5th to 8th April and shall involve various activities such as ICT partnership cooperation, Seeds for the Future launch and the Mobile Broadband Road Truck Show. This festival expects to host government officials, academia and telecom companies. It is anticipated to be a powerful engine in promotion of ICT literacy and awareness in Uganda.

Huawie Uganda and ICT Ministry signing a Memorandum of Understanding

“Today marks a continued and more beneficial partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU is beneficial to Ugandans, government and the general ICT industry in Uganda. Some of the Key components include: both parties to promote of ICT literacy and awareness to the government, academic institutions and the general public through workshops to expose public to particular and general technologies. Huawei being an ICT leader with heavy investment in Research and Development, we expect to benefit as the Ministry from this partnership.”, said Hon. John Nasasira, the Minister of ICT of Uganda.

The Managing Director of Huawei Uganda Mr. Stanley Chyn noted that Huawei intends to work together with the ministry as its partner in regard to technology.

“Huawei intends to provide expertise and knowledge transfer to government, academia and the general public through workshops through this MOU. Huawei shall also support the ministry in joint events, work with the ministry to bridge the digital divide under the program Seeds for the Future and work together as a partner in regard to technology”, he noted. This Memorandum of Understanding is expected to take effect on 5th April 2016.

April 5, 2016