The American Tower Corporation (ATC) plans to construct over 100 digital villages in major towns across the country.
ATC, the American based company majoring in constructing and managing telecom masts, announced this development last week at the handover ceremony of the ICT Learning Centre to Gaddafi Mosque, Old Kampala.
ATC under their corporate social responsibility is working with Uganda Communication Commission, Uganda Tourism Board and Ndejje University to promote this cause.
According to the Project Coordinator ATC Uganda, Hussein Kitonsa, the company is making an initiative to contribute digitalize Uganda by creating ICT learning centres across the major towns.
“In Uganda, we are operating 1600 towers (masts) and as a company, we decided to look through this initiative to make a difference,” Kitonsa said.
He explained that Uganda has a population with 70% below 30 years, with a huge gap in the ICT which the company aims to bridge.
According to Kitonsa, the company will spend Shs110M in construction of each learning centre.
“ATC has so far erected 5 learning centres in Old Kampala, Seeta-Bukerere, East Kololo, Buwenge and Bugiri,” he said.
The Project Manager Frederic Macheri said that each learning centre will equip learners (without considering their education background) with computer skills, internet skills and how to use the social media.
Ndejje University developed the content and about 24 learners will graduate every month.
UCC Director for Industry and Content, Julian Mweheire said that UCC will wholly support this programme in its vision to have a digital revolutionary population.
By Our Reporter
